Tesla CEO Elon Musk has broken his silence on the ongoing strike against the electric carmaker in Sweden, expressing frustration over the potential impact on new car deliveries. The strike, initiated by the metal workers’ union IF Metall has led to a series of disruptions, with Swedish postal workers ceasing deliveries to Tesla offices and repair shops since Monday.
The labour dispute, rooted in Tesla’s refusal to sign a collective wage agreement, has far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate factory floor. Media reports highlighted a crucial issue – the potential hindrance of new Tesla vehicles from hitting the road. According to the report, licence plates for new cars issued by the Swedish Transport Agency are delivered exclusively via mail carrier Postnord, the same carrier affected by the strike.
Elon Musk, who had not publicly commented on the strike until now, responded to a user’s post on X (formerly Twitter) with a succinct statement: “This is insane.” The frustration from Musk reflects the growing impact of the strike on Tesla’s operations in Sweden.
According to media reports, Mikael Andersson, the head of the press at the Swedish Transport Agency, confirmed that new number plates are indeed delivered through Postnord. He explained that the agency is obligated to use the carrier under a procurement contract negotiated by the Swedish Legal, Financial, and Administrative Services Agency.
The strike, which began on October 27 with 130 mechanics at 10 Tesla repair shops across seven cities walking off the job, has since escalated. It now includes other repair shops servicing Tesla vehicles, as well as dock workers who have ceased unloading Tesla cars at all Swedish ports.
In an attempt to widen the impact of the strike, nine other unions, including the Swedish Union for Service and Communications Employees (Seko) representing postal workers, and the Swedish Building Workers’ Union, have announced “sympathy measures” in solidarity with IF Metall.
Despite these measures, some Swedish media outlets report that the strike’s impact has been somewhat limited. IF Metall has accused Tesla of employing strikebreakers systematically to bypass the labour action.
Interestingly, Tesla has found alternative means to deliver new cars to Sweden, emphasising the brand’s flexibility. Road transport has been utilised as an alternative method, allowing Tesla to navigate around the disruptions caused by the strike.
Negotiated sector-by-sector, collective agreements form the foundation of the Swedish labour market model, covering nearly 90% of all employees. These agreements ensure standard wages and working conditions. According to IF Metall, Tesla has justified its refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement by asserting that they “don’t do that anywhere in the world.”
The ongoing strike and its ripple effects underscore the complexities and challenges facing Tesla and other automakers in navigating labour relations globally. As the situation unfolds, industry observers will be keen to see how both sides navigate towards a resolution and the ultimate impact on Tesla’s operations in Sweden.