The Vetlanda municipal board’s Chairman has issued a public plea to the Swedish labor union IF Metall, requesting the cessation of sympathy strikes that are negatively impacting third parties who have collective agreements with their staff.
Impact of Strikes on Third Parties
Robin Wallén Nilsson, the board’s Chairman, emphasized that the ongoing labor dispute initiated by IF Metall against Tesla has now begun to affect unaffiliated entities. These third parties already have existing collective agreements, and the Chairman is advocating for the removal of sympathy strikes that involve them.
Hydro Affected by Sympathy Strikes
Situated in Jönköping County, Sweden, Vetlanda Municipality houses the operations of Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum manufacturer. Hydro, which supplies car components to Tesla, participated in the labor action against Tesla Sweden by carrying out a sympathy strike. This decision was in solidarity with the grievance that IF Metall has against the American automaker.
Recently, Hydro declared its inability to sustain the sympathy strike, as it poses a risk to the employment of its workers. In November, Hydro had ceased production of Tesla parts, reassigning workers to other duties. Come January 12, the aluminum producer admitted that it could no longer provide alternative work for its staff connected to Tesla projects.
The strike led by IF Metall against Tesla has seen more backing through sympathy strikes than direct involvement from Tesla’s own employees in Sweden. The union has marshaled support from various Swedish trade unions and some organizations in Nordic countries.
Since October, IF Metall has been striking against Tesla Sweden, with a potential resolution appearing in the new year. The compromise would necessitate Tesla to engage a contractor with a collective agreement for its workforce. The union is aiming to forge a collective agreement with Tesla, although the automaker reports fewer than 10% of its workforce are IF Metall members.
