In the midst of a strike initiated by IF Metall in October 2023, Tesla is advancing its presence in Sweden by opening a new repair center and adding ten new charging stations. This expansion is happening even as the Swedish union continues its industrial action against the electric vehicle manufacturer.
New Workshop and Job Opportunities
The new damage repair workshop situated in Huddinge, near Stockholm, is already on the lookout for new hires. Tesla Sweden aims to fill seven positions that span various roles, including vehicle painters, claims assessors, and specialists in sheet metal work.
Union’s Response to Tesla’s Growth
The Swedish union is not sitting idly by as Tesla expands; IF Metall has planned to picket outside the new workshop and has intentions of rallying the newly recruited Tesla employees. Despite their efforts, reports indicate that the majority of Tesla’s union-affiliated workforce is not actively taking part in the strike actions.
IF Metall has been assertive with Tesla employees who are part of the union, attempting to compel them to participate in the strike. Some of these union members have been subjected to exclusion and intimidating tactics, with warnings that non-participation could result in being blacklisted from future union-represented employment opportunities.
A Tesla worker who faced exclusion by IF Metall for not joining the strike expressed that the union’s approach felt menacing. The worker recounted being threatened with potential ostracization from union jobs and lack of future union support.
The union’s contract secretary accuses Tesla of attempting to dodge collective bargaining by not signing an agreement with IF Metall. As Tesla continues to resist, the union is considering new measures, which could include a renewed notice of industrial action. Meanwhile, the Painters’ Union, with a membership of 13,000, stands in solidarity with IF Metall, refusing Tesla-related work, although not all Swedish painters are unionized. IF Metall is also contemplating extending the sympathy strike to impede new Tesla Supercharger installations.
