Swedish Union to Stop Collecting Trash from Tesla’s Workshops in Solidarity with Striking Workers

Introduction

A Swedish union has decided to take a stand in support of striking workers by announcing that it will no longer collect trash from Tesla's workshops. This move comes as the latest development in the ongoing battle between the US automaker and Swedish unions. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has criticized the strike action, calling it "insane."

Escalation of the Strike

The situation has worsened for Tesla in Scandinavia as the Transport Workers Union in Sweden has joined the strike by refusing to collect trash from the company's workshops. This decision is a show of solidarity with the striking workers and further intensifies the conflict between Tesla and Swedish unions. According to a Reuters report, this move is likely to result in overflowing trash cans at Tesla's facilities.

The Background of the Strike

The strike action began at the end of October when mechanics belonging to the Swedish union IF Metall went on strike to demand a collective labor agreement. This type of agreement is common in Scandinavian countries and would allow unions to negotiate with Tesla on behalf of workers regarding wages and working conditions. The strike has gained support from other industries, including dockworkers who have refused to unload Tesla's electric cars and electricians who have stopped maintenance work on Tesla charging stations.

Support from the Transport Workers Union

The Transport Workers Union is the latest to join the strike and has expressed its support by ceasing the collection of trash from Tesla's workshops. Union officials have stated that if Tesla does not sign a collective bargaining agreement, workers will stop collecting the company's waste on December 24. Tommy Wreeth, the head of the transport union, explained that this action is being taken to protect the Swedish collective agreements and the labor market model's safety.

Impact on Tesla in Scandinavia

The strike has gained momentum across Scandinavia, with unions in Denmark, Norway, and Finland also supporting the strike. These unions have pledged not to unload or transport Teslas bound for the Swedish market. The strike has disrupted the delivery of Tesla license plates, with postal workers in Sweden refusing to deliver them. Elon Musk expressed his frustration with this development, describing it as "insane" in a post on social media platform X.

Tesla's Response and Legal Actions

Tesla has taken legal action in response to the strike. The company sued the Swedish Transport Agency in an attempt to resume deliveries, but the court rejected Tesla's suit last week. The escalating wave of union action poses a significant challenge for Elon Musk, who has been a vocal critic of organized labor. Tesla has been resistant to its US workers' attempts to unionize, and the National Labor Board ruled in 2021 that the company had violated labor laws by preventing employees from organizing.

Conclusion

The ongoing strike and the support it has gained from various industries and unions in Scandinavia present a significant obstacle for Tesla. The decision of the Transport Workers Union to stop collecting trash from Tesla's workshops is a further blow to the company. The outcome of this conflict will determine the future relationship between Tesla and organized labor in Sweden and potentially have implications for other regions as well.

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By: tcarter@insider.com (Tom Carter)
Title: Swedish Union to Stop Collecting Trash from Tesla’s Workshops in Solidarity with Striking Workers
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/tesla-faces-trash-pileup-swedish-workshops-over-strikes-unions-2023-12
Published Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:36:50 +0000