IF Metall ends strike against Tesla

The Swedish union IF Metall announced it will end its strike against Tesla on August 19, concluding a dispute that has lasted nearly three years. The conflict began on October 27, 2023, when Tesla refused to sign a collective agreement with IF Metall for its members.

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Without striking members, there is no strike.

The union's decision to end the strike comes after Tesla reportedly bought out the striking members. "Without striking members, there is no strike," stated Veli-Pekka Säikkälä, collective bargaining secretary at LO (The Swedish Trade Union Confederation). This move by Tesla is seen by the union as an unprecedented attempt to avoid collective bargaining, using methods they claim have been banned in Sweden since the 1930s.

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We can state that Tesla is such a strong opponent of collective agreements that they would rather buy out employees who are members of the union than give them secure conditions.

Simon Petersson, collective bargaining secretary at IF Metall, commented in a press release that Tesla's actions demonstrate a strong opposition to collective agreements, preferring to buy out employees rather than offer secure conditions. He added that Tesla has systematically engaged in strike-breaking tactics. Despite not achieving a collective agreement, Petersson affirmed that the union does not regret initiating the fight, emphasizing the necessity for the union movement to take on such battles, even with the risk of not fully succeeding.

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They have used methods that have been banned in Sweden since the 1930s.

LO highlighted that the struggle was against a company led by Elon Musk, whom they described as having a "grudge against trade unions and how we do things in Sweden." Säikkälä also noted that the conflict revealed massive public support for the Swedish model and increased awareness of the importance of collective agreements. Lise-Lotte Argulander, a labor market expert at Företagarna, welcomed the end of the strike, calling it "historically unnecessary" and stating that the conflict had negatively impacted companies unrelated to the dispute. Tesla Sweden's communications manager, Maria Lantz, also welcomed the news, stating that employment at Tesla includes all standard conditions.

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We are strengthened by knowing that Swedes have cheered us on.