Protests Against Tesla in Sweden Supported by Northern European Trade Unions

Norway's largest private sector trade union announced that starting December 20, as part of the growing labor movement in Northern Europe supporting striking workers and mechanics in Sweden, it will begin blocking Tesla vehicles from entering the Swedish market. According to Reuters, the Finnish Transport Workers' Union, AKT, has also expressed its support for Tesla workers and mechanics in Sweden. Swedish trade unions, led by the IF Metall union, have been trying for about a month to compel the company to sign collective labor agreements with Tesla employees and mechanics in Sweden. Dock workers in Sweden have refused to unload Tesla vehicles from ships, and a wide range of workers including electricians, cleaners, postal workers, and at least one auto parts manufacturer in Sweden have stated they will also refrain from providing services to Tesla. The Norwegian union, Fellesforbundet, stated that it intends to send a clear signal to Tesla and will take necessary actions to ensure that any transport of vehicles from Norway to Sweden is blocked, but refrained from detailing these actions. Jørn Eggum, the leader of this trade union, stated, "The right to request a collective agreement is an obvious part of our working life, and we cannot accept that Tesla places itself outside this process." According to Reuters, Tesla opposes collective agreements, claiming that its employees have conditions that are as good as or better than what the Swedish trade union demands. However, trade unions in Northern Europe argue that Tesla's refusal challenges workers' power and rights to negotiate wages, leave, overtime pay, and other conditions. Previously, a trade union in Denmark announced on Tuesday, December 5, that it would support Swedish mechanics by refusing to unload or transport vehicles made by Tesla for customers in Sweden.