The Swedish labour union IF Metall announced on Wednesday a temporary exemption for its mechanics to repair certain Tesla vehicles at independent workshops, offering relief to private customers affected by the ongoing strike targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer since October.
The strike, initiated by Swedish IF Metall’s mechanics on October 27, has put pressure on Tesla in the Nordic countries as powerful employee unions demand a collective agreement with the company. In response to the strike, IF Metall has decided to allow non-Tesla workshops to conduct repairs on Tesla cars between February 19 and April 30, providing a brief respite for affected vehicles.
According to IF Metall, this exemption will apply to Tesla cars with significant damage rendering them undriveable, and only those vehicles already present in the affected workshops will be eligible for repairs. It’s estimated that this pause in the strike will impact between 100 to 200 cars, easing the burden on private customers caught in the crossfire of the labour dispute.
A spokesperson for IF Metall emphasised that the decision aims to alleviate pressure on innocent private customers who are not involved in the labour conflict while also providing some compensation to workshops, many of which operate under collective agreements with the union.
The strike, now entering its fourth month, stands as one of the longest in modern times for IF Metall, underscoring the intensity of the labour dispute and the determination of the union to secure favourable terms for its members.
The exemption for Tesla car repairs represents a pragmatic approach by IF Metall, balancing the interests of its members with the needs of Tesla owners who rely on their vehicles for transportation. By allowing repairs at independent workshops, the union aims to minimise disruptions for customers while maintaining pressure on Tesla to negotiate a collective agreement.