Tesla’s union battle in Sweden spills to other Nordic countries

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s anti-union stance is hurting the company’s operation in Europe. Approximately 130 mechanics from 10 Tesla garages in Sweden went on strike on October 27, objecting to the EV maker’s refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement.

The autoworkers’ strike has gained momentum, with workers from various sectors in Sweden and neighboring Nordic countries like Denmark, Finland and Norway expressing solidarity by withholding services to Tesla.

None of Tesla’s workers are unionized anywhere in the world.

Several workers unions in these countries have threatened to strike if the dispute remains unresolved. Institutional investors, including Norway’s KLP and PensionDanmark, have written to Tesla’s board, urging the company to reconsider its anti-union stance.

The dispute could impact Tesla’s operations in Germany, its most crucial European market.

Tesla’s Sweden labor dispute is just the tip of the iceberg. Back home, the United Auto Workers, which struck a landmark agreement with automakers GM, Stellantis and Ford last month, said it plans to organize Tesla and other nonunionized carmakers.