Swedish industrial union IF Metall is suing Tesla for refusing to negotiate a collective agreement and is also going on strike

dossier

“The Swedish union IF Metall is preparing for a confrontation with the electric car manufacturer Tesla. The union's attempt to negotiate a collective agreement for its members who service and repair Tesla vehicles at TM Sweden AB has reached an impasse. (…) Despite the well-known difficulties in organizing workers in Tesla's company due to an anti-union corporate culture, the number of members required to conclude collective agreements has been reached in Tesla's Swedish repair shops. However, with negotiations stalled, industrial action, including strikes, is now a real possibility…” EnglishReport from October 11, 2023 from industriAll Europe (“Industrial action at Tesla), see the IF Metall itself and further information:

• [Not every capitalist can afford to buy a labor dispute] Warning for Germany: Tesla has won Sweden's longest labor dispute 
  “IF Metall gives up after 1027 days. Tesla prevailed against Sweden's strongest union. IG Metall is also watching this closely.
  Örebro/Sweden – Around 40 mechanics in ten Swedish workshops held out for almost three years, supported by solidarity actions from 14 unions and four countries. This strike ended on August 19th and, at 1,027 days, became Sweden's longest industrial dispute in a hundred years. In the end, the US car manufacturer Tesla prevailed. Without ever signing a collective agreement with the IF Metall union. (…)
  Year-long strike in Sweden: Why Tesla still won in the end
  To understand why a company like Tesla was able to evade this pressure for years, it is worth taking a look at the system that IF Metall stands for. The union explicitly describes collective agreements on its own website as “typiskt svenskt”, i.e. typically Swedish, and emphasizes that there are no two models in Sweden, one with laws and one with contracts, but only one in which the two work together. With around 300,000 members and collective agreements at around 12,000 companies, IF Metall is one of the most powerful unions in the country. And yet it lacks the very instrument that additionally protects IG Metall in Germany, a legal requirement. While collective bargaining in this country can also be enforced through generally binding declarations or co-determination laws, IF Metall is solely dependent on social acceptance and its own ability to strike. It was precisely this gap between social norms and legal obligations that would prove crucial in the Tesla case. Tesla ultimately built its counter-strategy on this basis.
  Using the EU Posting of Workers Directive, the company had employees flown in as replacements from at least 14 European countries, moved production of a safety-relevant component abroad and quickly transported blocked vehicles by truck and ferry. This gave the car manufacturer enough time to blunt the actual lever of the strike, the employees themselves. In the end, Tesla reached an agreement with the majority of the striking mechanics on severance payments that were linked to confidentiality clauses.
  This meant that IF Metall broke away from the strikers and the union had to declare the strike over. How much this approach deviates from the norm was made clear by IF Metall's negotiating secretary Simon Petersson in a press release from the association: "We can see that Tesla are such strong opponents of collective bargaining that they would rather buy out employees who are union members than give them safe conditions," said Petersson, adding that this approach is unprecedented in the Swedish labor market and is reminiscent of methods that have been considered outlawed there since the 1930s. (…)
  Three lessons can be drawn from the course of the conflict. Firstly, a high level of union organization alone is not enough; members actually have to be mobilized, because in Sweden around 40 percent of IF Metall members stayed away from the strike. Secondly, a new assessment of international solidarity actions and the EU Posting of Workers Directive is needed, as multinational corporations can move workers across borders while trade unions continue to orientate themselves on national frameworks. Thirdly, the case shows how important social conditions would be for government funding so that the transition to a green economy does not come at the expense of labor standards…”Article by Lennart Niklas and Johansson Schwenck from September 9th, 2026 in the FR online . We repeat the comment: Fortunately, not every capitalist can afford to buy a labor dispute...
• American end to Swedish Tesla strike: After almost three years, all striking members of the IF Metall union were paid severance pay
  • IF Metall stops industrial action against Tesla
    “IF Metall is suspending all industrial action against the Swedish Tesla branch from Wednesday, August 19th at 00:01 a.m. The reason for this is that Tesla has poached all striking union members in the company. This means that the conflict no longer has any impact.
    – We can see that Tesla is so adamantly opposed to collective bargaining that the company prefers to pay off unionized employees rather than provide them with safe working conditions. This is unprecedented in the Swedish labor market - as are Tesla's systematic scab practices. They used methods that have been banned in Sweden since the 1930s,” says Simon Petersson, collective bargaining secretary at IF Metall.
    IF Metall's goal is for collective agreements to apply throughout the Swedish labor market. The union is sticking to this goal. Support from other unions, both in Sweden and abroad, was consistent throughout the conflict. Your expressions of solidarity were invaluable. Throughout the conflict, IF Metall has received strong support from the public and many partners in the labor market.
    – The almost three-year conflict between IF Metall and Tesla has brought the importance of collective agreements into focus on both a national and international level. In Sweden, support for our labor market model – where unions and employers negotiate conditions together – has proven to be very solid. IF Metall remains ready to fight for collective agreements, regardless of where or when an opposing side should oppose it, says IF Metall chairwoman Marie Nilsson.
    – Our members at Tesla are union heroes who dared to fight for a collective bargaining agreement against an employer that takes such a staunchly anti-union stance. A strike lasting almost three years has involved great personal sacrifice. The strength of our members at Tesla cannot be overstated, says Marie Nilsson.” SwedishPress release from IF Metall from August 13, 2026 (machine translated), see also:
  • Industrial dispute in Sweden: Tesla is said to have given strikers money to stop them
    “In a three-year industrial dispute, a Swedish union wanted to force Tesla into a collective agreement. Now the organization is giving up - apparently no one wants to strike anymore.
    The Swedish union IF Metall has announced the end of its three-year industrial action against the electric car manufacturer Tesla. The background to this is that the company has paid off all striking union members in the company, it said in a statement. "This means that the conflict no longer has any impact." All strike measures would be stopped on August 19th. How many people were compensated and how much money they received was not disclosed…”Agency report from August 13, 2026 in Spiegel online 
  • Severance pay instead of collective agreement: American end to Swedish Tesla strike
    “After almost three years, the industrial action at Tesla in Sweden has been stopped. The employees who are on strike are leaving the company in return for high severance payments.
    In the end it was said to have been a year and a half salary. It was worth it for Elon Musk's car manufacturer Tesla to tame the unruly people among his Swedish employees. It was apparently enough to break their will to strike after almost three years: the 80 union members in question left the company in return. The Swedish broadcaster SR reported on the amount of the payment on Friday, estimating the total amount to be the equivalent of a good six million euros. So they weren't top earners. The broadcaster also reported that the former Tesla employees had to sign comprehensive confidentiality agreements.
    The IF Metall union announced the unexpected end of this industrial dispute, which also caused an international stir, on Thursday: The strike would be called off on August 19th - the reasoning sounded as succinct as it was resigned: There were no more strikers. (…) The news caused widespread astonishment in Sweden, with its strong trade union tradition. Observers criticized “American methods” – and they don’t want them there. The conservative government now also apparently sees a need for action to ensure that the Tesla model does not become a common practice in Sweden. The responsible minister, Johan Britz (Liberal), told the SR that the process was unique in Swedish history - because of the duration and because it did not end with the signing of a collective agreement. The government will have the conflict analyzed. The aim is to protect the Swedish labor market model…”Article by Anne Diekhoff from August 15, 2026 in the taz online 
  • Fortunately, not every capitalist can afford to buy a labor dispute...
• New tactics in the Tesla strike: 40 striking mechanics have returned to work on behalf of IF Metall, the union speaks of a “game of chess” or yo-yo strike actions
  “IF Metall's latest move in the Tesla conflict has caused confusion.
  However, according to Simon Petersson, contract secretary at IF Metall, the measure has had the desired effect. “It shook up the status quo,” he says.
  Around 40 striking mechanics in Umeå, Malmö, Uppsala and Stockholm have returned to their jobs at Tesla on behalf of IF Metall. Many saw this move as an end to the strike. At the same time, the union has continued to spread the same message: the conflict continues.So what does it look like?
  According to Simon Petersson, contract secretary at IF Metall, there is no doubt:"We have limited combat operations at these locations, but the conflict is not over. It is ongoing. Primary conflict measures are in place at all workplaces and all solidarity alerts apply exactly as before.Purely formally, IF Metall's decision means that the so-called work stoppage, which is one of the most important combat measures in this conflict, has ended in Umeå, Uppsala, Malmö and Stockholm. The mechanics who had previously gone on strike at these locations are now available to the employer instead.
  However, there is another important combat measure that remains in force, namely the blockade of work abroad. Therefore, the solidarity measures previously taken continue to apply in all Tesla workshops.
  [Why do you do it like that?]
  "There are several reasons for this. Tesla has been emphasizing for some time now that everyone is welcome back. But that obviously doesn't seem to be true. Another problem, of course, is that they are now faced with a significant staff surplus at certain locations that they have to manage. If you have three times as many employees at one location as you actually need, that's pretty bad."
  IF Metall hopes that this measure will give Tesla greater motivation to sit down at the negotiating table. However, Simon Petersson does not want to comment on whether the parties have come closer together.
  [Can you understand how this could be interpreted as you being weakened?]
  "I can understand that there are different interpretations. But with this kind of conflict it's quite tricky, it's partly like a game of chess. We can't talk about everything the way we would like, because then we would give away a lot of strategies. If we had wanted to end this conflict, of course we would have done that." (…)
  Reports: IF Metall is planning a yo-yo strike against Tesla
  Several sources have reported to “Dagens Arbete” that IF Metall had planned a kind of “yo-yo strike” as part of the Tesla conflict. The strategy, presented at a meeting in March, would first send strikers back to their jobs and then go on strike again.
  This is intended to cause chaos in the Tesla workshops. Simon Petersson does not wish to comment on whether this is currently the case. (…)
  Several strikers that “Dagens Arbete” spoke to were critical of the idea of ​​sending striking mechanics back to Tesla. Some have expressed discomfort because they previously felt poorly treated by their employer. Others have questioned the effectiveness of this measure as Tesla desperately needs mechanics at some locations. (…)
  For these solidarity measures to be valid, the law requires them to be taken in support of a lawful primary measure. This means that there must be a primary combat measure for a solidarity measure to be valid.
  In recent weeks, IF Metall has decided to suspend one of the most important combat operations at the Tesla factories in Umeå, Malmö, Uppsala and Stockholm. This is the so-called work stoppage, which had previously deprived members of the opportunity to work at Tesla.
  However, there is another primary measure, namely the blockade against sending workers abroad, which began in mid-May. As this blockade continues, solidarity measures can continue.” SwedishArticle and interview by Ida Persson from June 5th, 2026 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
• The Tesla strike expands beyond Sweden's borders: IF Metall imposes a blockade on work abroad
  “The strike by the IF Metall union against Tesla is being intensified. The union is now announcing a blockade of all work carried out by the car manufacturer's employees abroad.
  “That would harm Tesla’s business,” says contract secretary Simon Petersson.
  The strike by the IF Metall union against Tesla's Swedish subsidiary TM Sweden has now lasted for the third year. The conflict has so far included a number of industrial actions and led to solidarity actions by other unions, but has not yet achieved the goal of getting Tesla to sign a collective agreement.
  The union has now announced that it will extend the blockade to jobs in other countries. “We have banned work abroad,” says Simon Petersson, collective bargaining secretary at IF Metall.
  Why is that?
  "Because we don't want them to work abroad. It's a hassle to travel abroad and it would hurt Tesla's business if they couldn't send them abroad."
  According to Simon Petersson, TM Sweden employees are obliged to work abroad according to their employment contracts. The union now wants to put an end to this.
  The announcement affects all workers, a complete work stoppage and the blocking of all work carried out by TM Sweden employees outside Swedish borders. IF Metall clarifies that the announcement also includes other companies that could help TM Sweden circumvent the blockage, for example by outsourcing service and repair work to another company…” SwedishReport from May 12, 2026 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
• The Seko union has been blocking Tesla charging stations in Sweden since spring 2024 - but now 8 new ones have been put into operation using batteries
  “It should be impossible for Tesla to open new charging stations. The Seko blockade prevents any connection to the electricity grid. But now the electric car giant has put eight new charging stations into operation - with the help of batteries. (…)
  Since spring 2024, Tesla's options for opening new charging stations have been limited. On paper, this should even be impossible. Work to connect the company's charging stations to the power grid has been stalled for almost two years.
  Nevertheless, Tesla managed to open several new stations last year. A new station in Malmö and two in Södertälje were opened in the winter and spring after network operators Eon and the municipal company Telge nät carried out blocking works. The companies said the connections were made accidentally.
  Shortly before Christmas, Tesla opened another charging station in Arlandastad outside Stockholm. This time the company used a new method: battery storage. Tesla has thus found another way to circumvent the unions' action. (…)
  The opening of the charging station in Arlandastad was stopped early by the Seko blockade, and the station has been finished but without electricity for over a year. With the help of battery storage, Tesla has now been able to put eight charging points into operation. However, that is still a far cry from the total of 40 chargers for which Tesla signed a contract with the property owner Arlandastad Group in 2023…”  Swedish.Article by Adam Daver from January 13, 2026 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
• New “combat measure” against Tesla: Christmas nativity scene with picket lines
  “If you think you see a strike poster between the paving stones today, don't be mistaken. A group of inch-tall pickets - touring elves - have taken over Stockholm to remind Tesla of a specific item on their wish list. “We are also fighting for collective agreements during the Christmas season,” says Emmy Brunnander, communications officer at IF Metall.
  The unions have adopted a new strategy against Tesla: Christmas cheer. On Friday, the LO unions held a Lucia parade in front of the Tesla building in Örebro, and in front of the Tesla showroom on Sveavägen in Stockholm, the eagle-eyed observer could see a Santa Claus slit…” Swede.Article by Edvin Bergh from December 16, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
• On October 27, 2023, the strike began in the 10 Swedish Tesla service centers and with no end in sight, but a new solidarity strike in lock maintenance
  • Assa Abloy is drawn into the Tesla conflict
    “Now there are new solidarity measures in the Tesla conflict - stopping the maintenance of locks and gates. IF Metall announces a blockage of all work carried out by Assa Abloy for Tesla.
    The number of solidarity actions in the Tesla conflict continues to increase. Now it is the turn of the Assa Abloy Industrial company to be drawn into the almost two-year-long conflict over the collective bargaining agreement at Tesla.On Thursday, IF Metall announced a blockage of all work the company carries out for the electric car giant. Assa Abloy Industrial specializes in industrial gates, and the union hopes that the solidarity action will stop Tesla's maintenance and repair of gates and locks.Assa Abloy Industrial has six locations in the country and employs around 330 people. The blockade will come into effect on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.In total, the arbitration institute has received fourteen conflict notifications in connection with the Tesla conflict since the beginning of September…” Swede.Article by Adam Daver from October 24th, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Marie Nilsson: “Tesla is not a small company that we want to bring down.”
    “As of Monday, the Tesla strike has already lasted two years. In the fall, IF Metall stepped up its combat measures against the electric car giant. Now the union is ready to take bigger risks. This is what IF Metall union leader Marie Nilsson says before the two-year anniversary of the strike.(…)
    No one can possibly imagine what it's like to not go to work for two years. This is an enormous burden and I have great respect for it. The strikers decide for themselves how long they can hold out and endure. (…)
    It's written in the stars. Our goal is of course to conclude a collective agreement for this workplace sooner or later. But I don't dare say how long that will take. As I said, it really depends on how long our members can hold out. We must also be aware that Tesla is using a countermeasure that we have never seen before, namely using scabs. But we are constantly recruiting new members and will persuade them to go on strike at some point.
    I also want to say that Tesla is not a poor little company that we are trying to destroy in any way. Rather, it is a global player and we cannot accept that different conditions apply to it in Sweden than to other entrepreneurs. This is a big and important player and that is why we must fight this conflict. It is impossible for us to do otherwise.” SwedishInterview by Adam Daver October 25, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • The striking Swedish workers against the car manufacturer Tesla
    “In Sweden, 70 car mechanics continue to fight against one of the richest companies in the world - Tesla. The strike at the US automaker's ten Swedish service centers has been going on for two years now, and there is no solution in sight.
    Janis Kuzma has been on the Tesla picket line since October 2023.“It’s a hard time,” says the 39-year-old. And with the arrival of the cold Swedish winter, things are likely to get even tougher.
    Janis spends every Monday with a colleague in front of a Tesla workshop in an industrial area in Malmö. His union IF Metall provides him with accommodation in the form of a mobile construction trailer as well as coffee and sandwiches.However, on the other side of the street, business continues as usual and the workshop appears to be in full swing. (…)
    Janis Kuzma, originally from Latvia, started working at Tesla in 2021. He claims that pay and working conditions often depend on the whim of managers.He recalls a performance review in which he was denied an annual raise because he “didn’t meet Tesla’s goals.” A colleague was allegedly denied a raise because he had the “wrong attitude.”However, not everyone went on strike. At the time of the industrial action, Tesla employed about 130 mechanics. According to IF Metall, around 70 of its members are on strike today.
    Tesla has long since replaced these with new workers, something unprecedented since the 1930s.“Tesla has done this [finding replacement staff] openly and systematically,” says German Bender, a researcher at Arena Idé, a think tank funded by Swedish unions."It's not illegal, which is important to understand. But it violates all established norms. However, Tesla doesn't care about norms."They want to break norms, so when someone tells them they're breaking a norm, they take it as a compliment." (…)
    IF Metall is not entirely alone in its fight.The strike is supported by a number of other unions.
    Dock workers in neighboring Denmark, Norway and Finland refuse to transport Teslas; Trash will no longer be picked up from Tesla's Swedish factories; and newly built charging stations will not be connected to the country's power grid. (…)
    With a lot at stake for both sides, there is little end to the stalemate in sight. IF Metall risks setting a precedent if it abandons the principle of collective agreements.“The concern is that this would spread,” says Bender, “and ultimately undermine the strong support for the labor market model among employers.”Tesla, on the other hand, may feel that giving in to this fight in Sweden would strengthen those who want to unionize Tesla at its manufacturing facilities in the United States and Germany, where the company employs tens of thousands of people. (…) Mr. Blomhäll from the Tesla Club Sweden also doesn’t see a quick solution. “It’s going to be another Korean War,” he says. “A conflict that just drags on.”“ EnglishArticle by Tim Mansel from October 27, 2025 on BBC (machine translated)
  • Two years of Tesla strike – Jānis: “I know how things work without unions – it’s going to suck!”
    “The Tesla strike is the longest strike in modern times - as of Monday it has already lasted two years. Dagens Arbete spoke to the main actors – the strikers.The mechanic Jānis Kuzma from Malmö wants to take a more offensive approach.– I would like us to join forces. But of course things are still moving forward, he says…” Swede.Article by Adam Daver from October 27, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Tobias, 27, has been on strike against Tesla for two years: “Giving up would be a betrayal of myself”
    “When Tobias Eng Strömberg joined the strike against Tesla, he thought it would be over in a few months.Two years later, the conflict is still ongoing - and Tobias has no plans to give in.“As long as the strike is necessary and I can hold on mentally, I will continue,” he says…” Swede.Article by Alex Rodriguez from October 27, 2025 in Arbetet (machine translated)
  • Mechanic Jānis on Elon Musk's fascist gesture: "He showed the world what an idiot he is"
    “Elon Musk's fascist-like gesture at a mass rally in Washington was a turning point for public opinion about the Tesla company. In German Bender's book about the Tesla conflict, striking mechanic Jānis Kuzma shares his thoughts..." Swedish excerpt from German Bender's book "Frontal collision - The Tesla strike and the fight for the future" (Frontalkrock - Teslastrejken och kampen om framtiden)on October 27th, 2025 in Works (machine translated)
  • 100 years before Tesla – the traces of the record strike live on here
    “October 27th marks two years since the Tesla strike began. The next day it was exactly 100 years since Sweden's longest strike broke out - at the Skyllbergs factory. Historian Annette Thörnquist points out similarities between the two long conflicts...” SwedishReport by Staffan Julius from October 25th, 2025 in Arbetet (machine translated)
• Tesla fails with lawsuits to circumvent the Seko union's solidarity blockade of the charging station's power connection - but has now found a loophole to open a new one in Malmö
  • Tesla opened charging station even though it was impossible: “We take it seriously”
    ""Once again, Tesla has found a way to circumvent the unions' sympathy measures. The electric car giant has opened a new charging station in Malmö, even though this shouldn't be possible. “We take this seriously,” Jonas Pettersson, head of communications at Seko, told Dagens Arbete.
    The Seko union's blockade against connecting Tesla's charging stations to the power grid began a year ago.It is difficult for Tesla to circumvent the blockage because the network operators have a monopoly and therefore cannot hire anyone to connect the electricity.Found a loophole
    JNow the electric car giant seems to have found a loophole, reports Dagens Arbete. A new charging station opened in Malmö last week.Tesla writes on X that the new charging station has 16 so-called “superchargers”, a type of fast charger. It's unclear how this happened.According to Seko, the charging station was connected to the electricity grid after the blockage, but it is unclear how this happened.Jonas Pettersson, Seko's head of communications, told Dagens Arbete that they were taking the incident "seriously" and that the union would resolve the matter with Eon, the owner of the electricity network in the region. ““We will then decide whether we need to take further measures to prevent a repeat of the incident,” Seko communications chief Jonas Pettersson told the newspaper…” Swede.Article by Ronja de Boer from March 3, 2025 in Arbetet (machine translated)
  • Electricity supplier is right – no need to connect Tesla charging stations
    “Now it's clear. There will be no electricity for Tesla's “ghost station” in Ljungby. According to the law, it is not possible to ask the local electricity supplier to bypass the blockage and connect the electricity. “That is not possible, our own people are connected to Seko,” says Bo Schönbeck, CEO of Ljungby Energinät. The blockade, which is an act of sympathy for IF Metall, has made it impossible to connect the masts to the power grid. Since the local electricity company's electricians are members of Seko, they refused to connect the poles. Tesla, in turn, was unable to bypass the blockade.
    The sympathy campaign not only brought the station in Ljungby to a standstill, but also the power supply to all new charging stations in the country. Since June, the electric car company has filed a lawsuit against the local electricity company Ljungby Energinät in an attempt to get the power supply back on track. Tesla believes that the electric company is obliged to connect the poles, otherwise they violate the Electricity Act. For its part, the electric company has argued that it cannot force its employees to work during a blockage. The matter has now been examined by the Energy Markets Regulatory Authority, which has ruled in favor of the electricity supplier…” Swede.Article by Ida Persson on February 24, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Alex has been on strike against Tesla since day one: “Let’s hope we don’t give up”
    “Alex Neidenmark has been on strike against Tesla from day one. Fifteen months later, he believes it is just as important, but he is also worried about what it will be like to come back: "I worked there for three years, but I will come back a new person. (…)The discussions about the strike, especially on social media, are frustrating for him: "People write that hardly anyone is on strike, that we actually have better conditions. They really have no idea.
    IF Metall: “We want to catch up and support”
    According to IF Metall, 65 Teslam workers are currently on strike. Ombudsman Arturo Vasquez S. says that the department created the Wednesday meetings with related well-being - like today's badminton - because it saw a need: "We ask how the strikers are doing, how things are going at home, with the children, the wife and the economy. We try to make life work. We want to catch them and support them with what they need. If someone is doing very badly, we can help, occupational health care and psychological care Organize support…” Swede.Article by Amanda Lindholm from March 3, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • LKAB sells its Tesla cars – after 1.5 years of battle with the union: “We won’t have any Teslas here”
    “LKAB's Tesla cars made the union see red. Now the mining company says the cars will be sold - but that's not a statement against the car company: "We haven't been able to carry out the necessary service and repairs," says Michael Palo, Iron Ore Director at LKAB...SwedishArticle by Ida Persson on February 27, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Swedes' confidence in Tesla is falling - now lower than Postnord's
    “Swedes' already low trust in Tesla continues to decline, according to figures from the Media Academy. The only company with lower trust is crisis-hit Northvolt, while trust in the union remains about the same. (…)
    IF Metall: Tesla's unwillingness to comply with Swedish regulations is having an impact Even if the public is not here as often, the conflict continues and it seems that more and more Swedes are losing trust in the electric car company Tesla. Last year, Tesla was included in the Media Academy's trust barometer for the first time. Even back then, trust was low: only 12 percent said they had a lot or a fair amount of trust in the company; today it is only nine percent…” Swede.Article by Emerik Einerstam Karis on February 23, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
• In Sweden, Musk's Hitler salute is one of these ("Hitlerhälsning") - there is debate as to whether IF Metall's strike against Tesla can ideologically benefit from it
  • Does it feel good to buy a Tesla now?
    “In the US, Elon Musk does the Nazi salute on stage while the world watches. In Sweden, his car brand Tesla is one of the three best-selling. The top customers are companies that are involved in the Tesla conflict in various ways. A shame, writes DA editor-in-chief Eva Burman.
    Mr. Musk's speech to Trump's supporters at the presidential ceremony on Monday evening surprised many. We know that Mr. Musk openly supported the right-wing extremist alternative for Germany at X, but we still didn't expect what came next. After excitedly jumping around the stage, he promised the audience safer borders, cities and fewer immigrants. He also promised that the US would be first on Mars. Although everyone knows that he actually means SpaceX.But when he thanked the voters, the unthinkable happened: he thanked them - with a Hitler salute. One hand on the chest, stretched straight out, palm up, fingers clenched. Twice. While his facial expression seemed to say: Fuck you.
    And yes – we are screwed. By Elon Musk, but the question is whether this is the beginning of the end for his somewhat iconic hero status. The shimmer over Tesla is slowly but surely turning brown at the edges. Soon we will see it for what it is. The Tesla brand with its SEXY CARS is no longer sexy or innovative.
    From the scenario of the last few days, IF Metall's strike against Tesla can gain new ideological explosive power. The action shows that it is more important than ever to stand up for the Swedish model and what the conflict ultimately stands for. Participation and democracy. The right-wing extremist movement has never accepted the unions, but has persecuted and tried to destroy their representatives for precisely this reason.
    And that is probably the reason why Elon Musk refuses to sign a collective agreement with IF Metall. For him it is an ideological question, but consumer power weighs heavily. Those who buy Tesla do so for the sake of the climate. You're hardly interested in supporting a brand whose owner so clearly supports right-wing extremism and does the Hitler salute, are you?.”  SwedishEditorial by Eva Burman from January 24, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated) with photos and the video – “Hitlerhälsning” is what it means in Swedish, which many in Germany don’t recognize…
  • The picket line at Musk: “I hope this is a wake-up call”
    "The Tesla brand has taken a hit. But will this affect the union fight? Worker Yakop Dighzarian on the picket line isn't sure, but sees a growing sense of Tesla shame among car owners: "They think that weirdo Elon Musk shouldn't have much say.Yakop Dighzarian shrugs. He and his Scania colleagues have been standing in front of the Tesla workshop in Huddinge, Stockholm, for the fifth hour. Every Thursday they come here to support the picket lines."We are a big club and also have a responsibility in this fight. We want to show how important the Swedish model is," says Yakop Dighzarian, the political director of IF Metall at Scania in Södertälje. (…)
    Provocations and harassment of demonstrators remain rare, says Dighzarian. "Most people who take to the streets are nice or want to show their support," he says: "A lot of people came and said that this crazy guy Elon Musk shouldn't have much to say. That they ordered their car before they knew he could behave like that, or that they didn't know that Tesla doesn't have a collective agreement. They go out of their way to show their appreciation. (...)
    It was just a few days ago that the infamous “healing clip” spread like wildfire on social media. Some speak of increasing Tesla shame. Others say it's a misunderstanding.
    According to Yakop Dighzarian, it is still too early to say whether the move will affect the unions' struggle - but I hope it can lead to an improvement. That it will be a kind of wake-up call for people. (…)
    Milad Haddad, regional safety officer at IF Metall, has been there since the picket line began in front of the Tesla workshop in Segeltorp. He also believes that resistance to Musk will increase. But he also sees risks in the electric car mogul's new role in US politics. "I think he will ask Donald Trump to put pressure on the Swedish government. And then something can happen, I think. We'll see, we hope not. But I don't trust anyone over there. They're anti-union.
    Tesla shame or not, the fact remains. Tesla cars are selling like hotcakes. And according to the prosecutor's survey, company cars account for more than half of sales. Several of the large customers are companies that have collective agreements with IF Metall or other unions that support the strike in various ways. "I think they shouldn't buy cars while the conflict continues. Ultimately, companies are also affected by it. If we don't win the fight, it could lead to other companies not wanting collective agreements either," he says…” Swede.Article by Ida Persson from January 24th, 2025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated) with some photos
  • The T in Tesla stands for Trump and Musk is a reactionary. In the fight against fascism you are either an opponent or a follower
    “It is often said that in times of polarization it is important to come together. And coming together is what the IF Metall union has been trying to do at the negotiating table with the car giant Tesla for over a year. The union wants to sign a collective agreement.The company refuses. The union goes on strike. The car company says that the unions behave like a mafia, that the employees have it so good that they don't need any participation. The whole strike is just a targeted PR campaign to make IF Metall look strong and cool. IF Metall counters that collective agreements create safer jobs than the arbitrariness of company managers and continues to fight for the Swedish model. (…) Elon Musk has made it clear that he does not support this. On the contrary, he represents the system that gives a small group of men a lot of power and influence in politics and the economy. Historically, this has been called fascism - and it doesn't fit very well with Swedish companies' attempts to appear good and responsible.
    It's time to choose a side. Despite attempts to dismiss, downplay and explain away what many are seeing before their eyes, it is happening. Trump is president. Tech giants and large companies have bought influence in politics and are driving citizens into a corner. The fact that Swedish companies then buy Tesla cars can no longer be explained by the fact that they want to achieve sustainability goals. It is taking sides in the fight for the rights of everyone – and vice versa.  (…) It is no coincidence that the value of the Tesla brand is now falling like a stone. (…)The T on the Tesla front stands for Trump and the ideas that come with the cars are the downfall of democracy. Which side are you on?“ Swede.Comment by Karina Cubilla from January 24, 2025 in arbetet.se (machine translated)
• Long queues at charging stations in Sweden: Now the sympathy strikes are becoming visible with the strike at Tesla - the evil unions...
  • Tesla drivers stand in queues at Swedish superchargers, Tesla blames union strikes
    “Tesla employees in Sweden have been on strike for more than a year, demanding inclusion in a collective agreement.
    Tesla drivers in Sweden are stuck in queues at Supercharger stations. Tesla blames union strikes for the fact that the new stations cannot be connected to the grid. Tesla employees in Sweden have been on strike for more than a year, demanding inclusion in a collective agreement. Tesla has a history of opposing unions and has successfully resisted unionization at its manufacturing facilities. Originally, this strike in Sweden appeared to be manageable as only a few dozen workers were involved. However, Tesla underestimated the strength of solidarity among Swedish workers.
    While the automaker was able to avoid the service workers' strike, it is now feeling the effects of sympathy strikes by other unions in Sweden. Several other unions in the country, including port workers, electricians and cleaning services that work with Tesla, have refused to work with the company to support the strike. Now one of these sympathy strikes is starting to cause trouble for Tesla owners and other EV owners.
    The IF Metall union has used its influence to stop Tesla from powering new Supercharger stations in a bid to apply pressure and bring the company to the negotiating table. During the holidays, this results in extremely long lines at working Supercharger stations, like some on X (Nicklas Nilsso ) reported. (…) The same Tesla owner posted a local Supercharger map showing that the vast majority of stations in the country currently require wait times to access a charger. Max de Zegher, Tesla's head of charging, commented on the situation and blamed the union strikes for the failure to put over 100 new Superchargers into operation…” English article by Fred Lambert in Electrek anddocumented on January 8, 2025 on portside.org (machine translated)
  • US union: Tesla strike radicalized Musk
    “Anti-union billionaire Elon Musk has become Donald Trump's right-hand man. According to analysts, the Swedish Tesla strike is part of his political radicalization. The question is: How far will Musk go to curb the power of unions? (…)
    His political profile also includes a strong rejection of unions. Elon Musk has spoken out against forming unions at his Tesla factories and has been accused of threatening and firing workers who want to unionize. In Sweden, IF Metall has been striking at Tesla workshops and service centers for over a year against the company's refusal to sign collective agreements.
    The goal: the destruction of the law that protects employees
    US unions now face four uncertain years. Elon Musk is expected to target the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). (…)
    Jeff Hauser also believes that the Swedish Tesla strike played a role in Elon Musk's radicalization.  "That's one of the reasons why Musk is such a staunch opponent of the union and why he spends so much time and money on politics. "Four years ago he wasn't a very political figure," says Jeff Hauser.
    “And I think that if American labor law is destroyed by Musk, American unions will take a cue from Sweden and other countries with strong labor movements about what to do next.” SwedishArticle by Jonas Cullberg from January 9, 2025 in arbetet.se (machine translated)
  • From the Tesla chaos in Malung to the busting of unions in the USA: Elon Musk's global war against the working class
    “The Tesla queues in northern Dalarna are a symptom of Elon Musk's global war on unions and the working class, writes Labour's political editor…” SwedishArticle by Daniel Swedin from January 9, 2025 in arbetet.se (machine translated)
  • Signage dispute not yet over – Tesla is suing Transport Agency in new court
    “In November, the Supreme Court dismissed the electric car giant's lawsuit. But Tesla still wants to force the traffic authority to bypass the postal blockade. Now Tesla is going to the administrative court because of the license plates…” Swede.Article by Adam Daver from January 7, 29025 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Strikers in front of the Tesla flagship store: “This is something I believe in”
    “The dispute over collective agreements in the Swedish Tesla factories has now been going on for almost 14 months. And now – for the first time since the strike began – strikers from across the country have gathered for a joint demonstration against their employer…” Swede.Article by Adam Daver from December 18, 2024 in Dagens Arbete with some photos of the rally (machine translated)
• Exactly one year of collective bargaining between the Swedish union IF Metall and Tesla - with continued solidarity from Swedish and international unions 
  • One year of strike at Tesla in Sweden: The long fight for a collective agreement has not yet been successful
    “On October 27th, the longest strike in Sweden in a hundred years entered its second year. The conflict between the IF Metall union and the Tesla Group has become an issue that goes far beyond the several hundred car mechanics directly affected.
    Lars Henriksson, a former long-time Volvo worker and an active member of IF Metall for 45 years, summarized the situation and the challenges facing the union in the Swedish online newspaper Internationalen. (…)
    Ironically, the weakest link in the Tesla strike is the employees themselves, who are the union's real strength.
    Poor turnout
    Of the approximately 120 people who were called for industrial action by IF Metall, not all of them joined the strike. According to statistics from the National Mediation Office, only 44 people went on strike last year, just over a third of the workforce. Many employees are not unionized; some IF Metall members decided not to participate for various reasons and were excluded from the union. In addition, employees were put under great pressure by management; In some cases, residence permits were even dependent on employment.
    Part of the problem also lies in the internal workings of the union. IF Metall chairwoman Marie Nilsson said in an interview with the newspaper Dagens Nyheter in February that "we would never have gone on strike if we hadn't believed that we would get a majority of members on board." In a union that relies on member activity and democratic leadership, this would hardly have come as a surprise - the leadership could have known the members' attitudes in advance and adapted their strategy accordingly.Both parties to the conflict are currently not under direct pressure. IF Metall's strike fund has hardly been touched since 1980 and could support the strikers indefinitely. Tesla isn't particularly suffering either, as long as operations are maintained. Still, there is a lot at stake. (…)
    More international pressure needed
    Tesla's Swedish subsidiary, TM Sweden, represents only a small part of Musk's empire and could be ordered to maintain its anti-union stance, even if doing so is difficult and costly. For IF Metall, however, the situation is more difficult in the long term: the skilled workers who are on strike at Tesla today have little difficulty finding another job and have to work to maintain their qualifications. Although some new strikers have joined during the year - including people previously excluded - there is a risk that individual workers will grow tired and move jobs if a solution is not soon forthcoming.
    One option for Tesla could be to adopt Amazon's model and employ all employees at a formally independent company that reaches an agreement with the Swedish union. But so far Tesla has rejected all of these and other solutions suggested by the intermediaries.
    The future therefore lies in the hands of the Swedish trade union movement. Stronger pressure is necessary. The most effective way to do this would be an international offensive against Tesla, in which unions from different countries come together to force agreements and support those willing to strike…”Article by Lars Henriksson in Soz No. 12/2024 
  • Marie Nilsson: “Tesla management in Texas doesn’t want a collective agreement”
    “On Sunday, the Tesla strike will last a year. More workers have joined the strike - but otherwise the situation is deadlocked. For Tesla, the resistance is ideological, says Marie Nilsson, President of IF Metall, ahead of the anniversary of the historically long strike.
    Marie Nilsson, what about the strike? "After the summer, it's positive. More people have joined and now there are 52 strikers. So more people have joined. It's a good feeling that things are moving in this direction. Our striking members are still in a good mood and feel that the fight is meaningful. That's the most important thing, that they don't lose their appetite. "But there is no movement whatsoever in terms of Tesla or TM Sweden's interest in signing agreements. We are standing still" (...) Tesla is very taciturn when it comes to answering questions. So the information we have about what the workshops are really like and how difficult it is for them to provide the service is largely based on the information we receive from our striking members who still have colleagues in the workshops. Tesla itself cannot confirm anything. But we firmly believe that our various actions are causing difficulties for them. It is uncomfortable and difficult for her. At the same time, Tesla says they are not affected: "Of course they would rather spend their time servicing cars than finding ways to empty the garbage, drive away with hazardous waste, clean the premises and make sure the license plates arrive. Their charging stations are no longer connected to the power grid. They have resorted to strike breaking, and it is clear that they will have to bring people in when our members are on strike.” SwedishInterview by Adam Daver from October 23rd, 2024 in Dagens Arbete with Marie Nilsson, President of IF Metall (machine translated)
  • Tesla: The fight for collective bargaining continues
    “After a year, the Swedish union IF Metall's fight for a collective agreement with the car manufacturer Tesla continues. To demonstrate continued solidarity with striking workers and their union, industriAll Europe General Secretary Judith Kirton-Darling and ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch visited a Tesla picket line in Stockholm today. On October 11, 2023, it was a year since the Swedish union IF Metall began strike action against the electric car manufacturer Tesla. More than two years have passed since the union's first attempt to negotiate a collective agreement with Tesla for its members who maintain and repair vehicles at TM Sweden AB. On October 11 last year, all negotiations reached an impasse. (…)
    IndustriAll Europe general secretary Judith Kirton-Darling said: "IndustriAll Europe will stand by Swedish Tesla workers for as long as necessary and resist any attempts to weaken unions and collective bargaining in Europe. Tesla has much to gain by learning from the European social model and accepting unions as partners in the industrial transformation it is committed to leading."
    ETUC general secretary Esther Lynch said: "What is at stake at Tesla Sweden is nothing less than the future of the European social model. I am proud to stand with Tesla workers today as they fight for workers' and trade union rights that ensure fair pay and safety in the workplace.
    "Elon Musk has made his agenda very clear: he says he disagrees with the whole concept of unions and is trying to make the green transition about union busting. Musk can make his own rules when he gets to Mars, but if you want to do business in Europe, then you have to play by the European rules, and that means you have to respect our tradition of collective bargaining.” EnglishPress release from October 22, 2024 at the EGB (machine translated)
  • Big fight at the electricity trade fair – the union had a stand next to Tesla
    “A big fight broke out at the Kistamässan fair in Stockholm. The electricians' union had its stand right next to Tesla and took the opportunity to display leaflets about the strike. But neither Tesla nor the organizer liked that: “We won’t buy anything,” says Dennys Bello, head of communications for the electricians’ union.
    This week the Elmässan fair took place in Kistamässan in Stockholm. The electricians' union has been present at the fair for several years, partly to talk to students about what the union does and why it exists. But this year the trade fair for electricians is about something completely different. The union's stand was placed next to Tesla's - and that led to a major dispute. The trade fair organizer has threatened to throw the union out. (…) The electricians' union supports IF Metall's strike against Tesla - and refuses to take down the leaflets When Denise Gartz, youth representative for the electricians' union, arrived at the trade fair to set up the union's stand, she noticed Tesla right next to it. The union seized the opportunity. One wall of the booth was covered with leaflets and information about the Tesla strike…” Swede.Article by Adam Daver from October 17, 2024 in Dagens Arbete (machine translated)
  • Interview: “Success would be the first hole in the wall”
    Jannes Bojert from IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony and Arturo Vasquez Sandoval from IF Metall Sweden have a common goal: good working conditions at Tesla. In theInterview by Fabienne Melzer in the magazine Codetermination issue 5/2024 Jannes Bojert and Arturo Vasquez Sandoval explain their common goal:"... VASQUEZ SANDOVAL: We tried to conclude a collective agreement with Tesla. But we are biting the rocks. Currently, our members have various agreements with the Tesla company, i.e. TM Sweden AB. The employer can change them at will and the employees cannot do anything about it. The collective agreement, on the other hand, gives them guarantees that the employer cannot simply change unilaterally. But the most important part is that it gives the employees a say. (...) The law allows us to agree out of solidarity in the event of a conflict strike if the main conflict is legal. So we got support from the union that represents maritime and road haulage. No union member in Sweden works with Tesla products. Other unions have taken so-called sympathy measures. For example, the electricians' union has blocked upcoming construction and repair work in Tesla's customer service workshop Tesla.(…) BOJERT: This strike is about the working conditions of 130 employees at TM Sweden AB and the Swedish model of collective bargaining. But it has significance for Tesla employees worldwide. Apparently, Tesla has an iron law to prevent unionization of the workforce, no matter the cost, to never negotiate with unions or sign a contract with them she has a first hole.(…) In order to keep unions out, many employers fight works councils before they are even elected. Tesla is pursuing a different strategy: the factory management is trying to keep the works council compliant. The first works council elections were initiated by middle management before production started and a list was drawn up with a female manager at the top. We were expecting this move, but we were still at the very beginning of our campaign. This means that the union network in the factory was not yet strong enough to counteract this overwhelming force. The manager is still chairwoman of the works council. (…) VASQUEZ SANDOVAL: The problem in Sweden is that Tesla brings people from other parts of Europe to work as strikebreakers. They do the work at the various locations that our members lay down. Tesla is breaking a gentleman’s agreement that we have in this country between unions and industrialists. We believe in this system and follow the rules, but Elon Musk doesn't. What is new for us is that you can use EU legislation and freedom of movement to bring people from other European countries to do the work for us. This also means that we have to think about whether this is the new future for us as a union - with companies that use the EU for their own benefit. (…) BOJERT: I admire the determination of our colleagues in Sweden. IF Metall and IG Metall are strong unions, but we also need rules for a fair fight. If Tesla can legally fly in strikebreakers from other European countries, there is a need for improvement in European legislation.There is also a need for improvement in Germany. In my opinion, solidarity or sympathy strikes are a really effective means. In Germany, however, they are only possible within a very narrow framework that is poorly formulated in case law. If a court concludes that the strike was unlawful, the union must pay for all damages caused. This means that in most cases this remedy is practically useless. VASQUEZ SANDOVAL: I think the most important thing is that we work together and support each other in our fight for the collective bargaining agreement. I visited my colleagues in Grünheide and now IG Metall is coming to Sweden. Our members in Sweden feel that we are not alone. The members of IG Metall in Germany are fighting alongside us.”
• Tesla Sweden is trying to circumvent the sympathy strikes or break them legally - and failing, as with the latest blockade of the charging stations
  • After revelation: Transportstyrelsen tightens routines and sends “clarification” to Tesla
    “Tesla was able to issue nearly 18,000 license plates at addresses that were not known to the unions. Following the union's revelations, the Swedish Transport Authority has now reviewed its procedures and made it clear to Tesla that the company cannot continue as before.
    For several months, Tesla has managed to send almost 18,000 license plates to addresses that were completely unknown to the unions, as they believed that their blockades at completely different addresses were watertight.This was recently exposed by Arbetet and led to postal unions Seko and ST announcing a blockade at these addresses, which are located in Stockholm, Trelleborg and Gothenburg. It is one of several sympathy measures with which the unions want to support IF Metall in its strike for collective agreements at the electric car giant. The blockade comes into force on Friday.
    At one of the addresses leading to a villa in Trångsund where an IT company is registered, a man in a red Tesla shirt opened the door but did not want to answer our questions. Now the Swedish Transport Authority is also clarifying what applies to these addresses where companies receive license plates from the sign supplier commissioned by the authority. “Same geographical location” The authority uses a picture of a house to show how this should be done. The postal address can go into a company's mailbox. However, if nine or more license plates are to be received, the company must also register an address for package delivery - and it cannot be in a different location, as is the case with Tesla. The Swedish Transport Agency also sent an email to the Swedish Tesla company TM Sweden highlighting an issue that the agency believes