In today's episode, we're examining a significant labor dispute involving Tesla in Sweden. This situation has seen Tesla's workshops in Sweden struck by a wave of strikes led by the powerful trade union IF Metall. This strike, spanning five weeks, marks the first time Tesla workers in Sweden have taken such action. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has publicly denounced these strikes as "insane," particularly criticising secondary strikes that have exacerbated the situation.
The strikes by IF Metall, a union with over 300,000 members in Swedish industry, began after Tesla refused to sign a collective agreement with the union. This refusal has sparked a broader labor dispute, drawing in support from other unions and potentially threatening to extend to neighboring Norway. The unfolding situation raises significant concerns about the future of Sweden’s labor model and the global labor practices of companies like Tesla.