It’s a movement that in no way compares to what’s ending in the United States between unions and manufacturers, but what’s happening now in Sweden between Tesla and several sectors is certainly enough to worry brand boss Elon. Musk.
Indeed, since October 27, a social crisis has rocked Tesla in Sweden, highlighting the demands of the electric car maker’s workers demanding application of collective agreements in their field.
Mechanics leave, dockers follow
On October 27, Tesla mechanics initiated a movement, deciding not to repair the brand’s cars anymore. This act was supported by a strike call from the IF Metall trade union, which started a series of protest movements within the company.
On November 7, the dockers joined the rebellion, deciding to no longer unload Teslas at the country’s four largest ports. Within a few days, the movement spread to all Swedish ports, affecting other sectors as well.
Electricians have stopped maintenance, including at charging stations, postal workers are no longer delivering company mail, and even cleaning services have stopped working at Tesla facilities.
What are their requirements?
At the heart of this riot, Tesla workers are demanding the application of collective bargaining agreements in their industry, which the company categorically refuses. This position is an integral part of the philosophy of the company led by Elon Musk, which seeks to avoid unions as much as possible among its 127,000 employees worldwide. Unions in the US and Germany have so far failed to force Tesla to agree to collective bargaining agreements.
If Sweden succeeds in making its demands, it could set a significant precedent for other countries. However, Tesla’s stubborn resistance could cost it dearly, as the company is a major player in Sweden’s auto industry with more than 17,000 registrations since the start of the year. This represents 7.2% of the market in the country, even exceeding 19% in the electric vehicle segment.
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.