After mechanics working for Tesla in Sweden walked off their jobs in late October, trade unions in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have joined in sympathy. The aim is to pressure Tesla to sign a collective agreement with its Swedish workers. The strike has expanded beyond Sweden after dockworkers in Denmark said they would stop unloading Tesla vehicles at ports around the country.
Tesla, the U.S. maker of electric vehicles, is facing its first labor action. The 120 mechanics participating in the strike are represented by the trade union IF Metall. Despite Sweden being a relatively small market for Tesla, the strike has gained traction from unions including dockworkers, electrical, and postal workers. Their goal is to compel Tesla to sign a collective agreement, which is a common practice in Sweden.
However, not all mechanics at Tesla service centers in Sweden are part of the strike. Nonetheless, the automaker is facing legal action to force the delivery of license plates. Temporary rulings have been made, but final decisions are still pending.
The strike has expanded to include other unions refusing to provide services to Tesla. About 150 members of IF Metall and other unions are involved in some capacity. The situation has led to concerns about the impact the strike may have on business and the auto industry in Sweden.
IF Metall wants Tesla to initiate discussions about a collective agreement, which would set the basis for wages and benefits for all workers. However, despite growing support for the strike, Tesla has not responded to requests for comment. Elon Musk has made clear his opposition to organized labor, further complicating the situation.
The solidarity among Nordic unions has also extended to Denmark and Norway, with unions there joining the strike in support of Swedish workers. The strike has implications for the European operations of Tesla and the broader issue of organized labor in emerging green industries.
While there is some public support for the strike, there are concerns about its impact on local businesses and jobs. The future duration of the strike remains uncertain, but for now it seems that both the union and Tesla are prepared for a prolonged conflict. The situation raises larger questions about the clash between the Swedish labor market model and Silicon Valley ethos, and how these competing beliefs will impact the outcome of the strike.