Imagine a high-stakes corporate event where a rapper tries to rally factory workers with awkward chants and a futuristic truck, all while management subtly (or not so subtly) campaigns against unionization. Sounds like a scene from a satirical comedy, right? But this is exactly what Tesla allegedly orchestrated at its Giga Berlin factory, and it’s sparking more than just laughter—it’s fueling a heated debate about labor rights, corporate influence, and the future of one of the world’s most iconic companies.
According to reports, Tesla hosted a private ‘Giga-Event’ for employees at its Gigafactory Berlin, featuring German rapper Kool Savas as the headline act. The event, held on December 2, was ostensibly aimed at boosting morale, but its underlying purpose was clear: to sway workers ahead of an upcoming union vote. The result? A cringe-worthy spectacle that included a Cybertruck on stage, failed attempts to start ‘Elon’ chants, and what many are calling thinly veiled anti-union propaganda.
And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t just about a poorly executed event; it’s the latest chapter in a long-standing battle between Tesla and IG Metall, Germany’s powerful metalworkers’ union. For years, Tesla has managed to keep IG Metall at bay, preventing a full union takeover of the works council. However, the union gained significant ground in a vote last year, and another election is on the horizon. Tesla’s response? A strategy that’s as unconventional as it is controversial.
As reported by Handelsblatt, the event featured Kool Savas driving onto the stage in a Tesla Cybertruck—a rare sight in Europe—and attempting to energize the crowd. But here’s where it gets awkward: the rapper tried to start an ‘Elon, Elon’ chant, only to be met with silence. He even altered his lyrics, replacing ‘Mercedes’ with ‘Tesla,’ but the crowd remained unmoved. After five songs, Savas himself acknowledged the tension, remarking, ‘You guys are tough, man. Tesla, what’s wrong with you?’ When applause for Tesla as a ‘great employer’ fell flat, he reportedly asked the audience if they had a ‘stick up their ass.’ You can’t make this stuff up.
But the real story here isn’t just the rapper’s struggle to read the room—it’s the broader context of Tesla’s anti-union efforts. The event took place against the backdrop of an upcoming works council vote, where IG Metall is pushing to secure a majority. In the last election in 2024, the union elected the largest faction but fell short of full control. Now, with Tesla’s sales plummeting in Europe and Elon Musk’s popularity at an all-time low, management is reportedly worried that IG Metall could gain the upper hand.
But here’s where it gets controversial: During the event, Gigafactory Berlin manager André Thierig took aim at the union, claiming that employees would only receive a 2% wage increase if IG Metall held collective bargaining power. In reality, Tesla announced a 4% wage increase, which IG Metall welcomed but argued was still far below the industry standard—they’re calling for a 30% raise to match German auto industry salaries. Thierig also hinted that Tesla’s expansion plans, including battery production, hinge on the outcome of the 2026 works council election. IG Metall chief Otto sees this as a thinly veiled threat, part of a pattern where Tesla promises expansion and advancement in exchange for workers rejecting the union.
Is Tesla’s approach fair, or is it a form of intimidation? That’s the question many are asking. While Tesla insists that jobs for its 11,000 Berlin employees are secure, there’s growing concern as the company’s European sales have dropped by over 30% in 2025. Even the Model Y, once Europe’s best-selling EV, has seen a significant decline. The factory, operational for nearly four years, still only produces the Model Y, raising doubts about Tesla’s promised expansion.
From our perspective at Electrek, one thing is clear: the union is having a positive impact on Tesla workers. It’s hard to ignore the timing of the 4% wage increase—would Tesla have offered it if not for the looming union vote? What’s unnecessary, however, is the anti-union rhetoric. Let the union make its case, let management make theirs, and let the employees decide. If Tesla is truly a great employer, it shouldn’t need a rapper to convince its workers.
But here’s the bigger question: With Tesla’s struggles in Europe and the potential addition of the Tesla Semi program as the only bright spot, is the Gigafactory Berlin destined to shrink rather than grow? And what does this mean for the workers caught in the middle? We want to hear from you—do you think Tesla’s tactics are justified, or have they crossed a line? Let us know in the comments.
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