Sixt fires three workers days before planned works council election
Three Sixt employees were suddenly dismissed after trying to set up a works council. The terminations came just days before a planned election meeting, sparking legal action. Trade union Verdi has now filed criminal charges against the company's management.
The three workers received their termination letters one day before a scheduled assembly to elect a works council. No clear reason was given for their dismissal. They were then placed on leave and ordered to leave the company three days later, forcing the cancellation of the election.
The Düsseldorf Regional Labor Court previously ruled in a similar case, ordering Sixt to reinstate three employees who had been fired without notice. Despite this, the Düsseldorf branch still lacks a works council. Sixt has faced repeated accusations of blocking such elections, with sudden dismissals reported in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Düsseldorf. Verdi has now taken legal action, filing criminal charges against Sixt's regional managing director, branch managers, and shareholders. The union alleges they obstructed works council activities and undermined democratic elections. Meanwhile, SPD politician Kianusch Stender plans to raise the issue in the next Economic Affairs Committee meeting. The dismissed employees are also fighting back. They intend to challenge their terminations in labour court and demand reinstatement. Sixt, however, denies the allegations, claiming the decision to form a works council rests solely with its employees.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between Sixt and employees seeking representation. Legal proceedings are now underway, with both labour court appeals and criminal charges filed. The outcome could impact future attempts to establish works councils at the company.
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