Overview
- At a February 12 meeting at Enpal Sales Ost in Berlin, more than 270 employees voted down all candidates for the election committee required to start a works council.
- IG Metall sent two officials, including Lars Buchholz, who reported frequent interjections and advised a secret ballot, which attendees declined by show of hands.
- The day before the vote, CSO Stephan Rink led an all-hands meeting discussing perceived myths about works councils and floated a non-formal participation model.
- After the vote, Enpal Sales Ost managing director Christian Ferchof praised turnout in a video message and senior staff shared celebratory memes in internal chats.
- This marked at least the second failed attempt to form a works council in Berlin, as the company said legal requirements were followed and earlier reporting cited workplace grievances as a driver for organizing.