Swedish Metal Industry Union Strike Causes Disruption for Tesla
(AFP, Stockholm, 23rd) The metal industry union in Sweden has initiated a strike, causing disruptions for electric car maker Tesla. The strike was sparked by Tesla’s refusal to sign a collective wage agreement, prompting CEO Elon Musk to make a public statement, calling the situation “absurd.”
Support for the Strike
Support for the strike has extended beyond the metal industry union, with Swedish postal staff ceasing deliveries to Tesla offices and repair shops in solidarity. This has resulted in a potential roadblock for Tesla’s new cars, as new license plates issued by the Swedish Transport Agency rely on PostNord’s services, which is currently affected by the strike.
Impact on Operations
The strike, initiated by the metal industry workers’ union IF Metall, has had a significant impact on Tesla’s operations in Sweden. Around 130 technicians at 10 Tesla repair shops in seven Swedish cities participated in the strike, leading to disruptions in the services provided to Tesla and other car manufacturers. Furthermore, dock workers at all Swedish ports have also stopped unloading Tesla cars.
Response from Tesla
CEO Elon Musk’s response to the strike, posted on the social networking platform X, conveyed his disbelief at the situation. Musk had not publicly commented on the strike prior to this response. However, Tesla has reportedly found alternative methods to deliver new cars to Sweden, particularly utilizing road transport.
Collective Bargaining Dispute
The issue at the heart of the strike revolves around Tesla’s refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement, which is integral to the Swedish labor market model. IF Metall has accused Tesla of systematically using non-strike participants to circumvent the impact of the strike, while Tesla has insisted that they do not engage in collective bargaining agreements anywhere in the world.
(AFP, Stockholm, 23rd) Sweden’s metal industry union went on strike because electric car maker Tesla refused to sign a collective wage agreement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk broke his silence today and said this could be ” absurd” to block the introduction of new cars.
Swedish postal staff began to stop delivering goods to Tesla offices and repair shops on the 20th of this month in support of the strike launched by the metal industry workers’ union IF Metall because Tesla refused to sign a wage agreement on the co.
Sweden’s Dagens Industri later reported that postal workers’ support for the strike could prevent Tesla’s new cars from going on the road because new license plates issued by the Swedish Transport Agency can only be issued through PostNord’s service.
Someone mentioned the incident on X, the social networking platform formerly known as Twitter, and Musk responded curtly: “It’s ridiculous.” He has never publicly expressed his views on the strike before.
Mikael Andersson, head of press at the Swedish Transport Agency, confirmed to AFP in an email that the new license plates were sent via Swedish Post. He explained that under a procurement contract negotiated by the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency on behalf of all government agencies, the transport agency must use Swedish Post.
IF Metall said around 130 technicians at 10 Tesla repair shops in seven Swedish cities were the first to go on strike on October 27 this year.
The strike later expanded to other repair shops that provide services to Tesla and other car manufacturers, and dock workers at all Swedish ports also stopped unloading Tesla cars.
In addition to IF Metall, nine unions have announced “supportive measures”, including the Swedish Union for Service and Communication Workers, which represents postal workers, and the Swedish Construction Workers union (‘Union).
However, several Swedish media reported that the current effects of these actions were limited, and IF Metall also accused Tesla of systematically using non-strike participants to avoid the impact of the strike.
Tesla has also found other ways to deliver new cars to Sweden, especially using roads.
Collective agreements negotiated by each industry individually form the basis of the Swedish labor market model, which covers almost 90% of employees and guarantees basic wages and working conditions.
IF Metall said Tesla refused to sign a collective bargaining agreement, claiming the company “doesn’t do this anywhere in the world.”
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