The billionaire Elon Ms did not want to sign a collective agreement with the 120 Swedish mechanics, but the workers have been organised and, driven by the IF Metall union, Tesla owners are giving an unexpected response. Since 27 October they have been on strike and Tesla’s production is being blocked with the help of several unions. Almost all Swedes have joined the protest, including from neighbouring countries: Workers in Denmark, Norway and Finland also press through the boycott the largest international electric car manufacturer.

Swedish dockers are blocking the unloading of cars in their ports, and to avoid this, the boats that Muskiz sent to the Danish ports. But there they also put obstacles: The 3F trade union, the largest in Denmark, has joined the Swedish workers’ strike, which has also closed. “Like the company, the trade union movement and the fight for the protection of workers are also global. With our solidarity, we will put more pressure on Tesla. We hope to be able to sit at the table as soon as possible to negotiate and sign an agreement,” said Jan Villadsen, of the 3F trade union transport sector.

Cleaners, electricians, maintenance personnel, carriers, stoveers or porters have joined in the struggle of mechanics and managed to block Tesla: chargers do not download cars, electricians do not prepare or repair load points, taxi drivers will not take Tesla car until mechanics have an agreement, etc.

Why have you joined the Tesla boycott in neighboring countries?

From the 3F trade union they have made it clear that Sweden, Norway and Denmark have a model called “conflict of solidarity” that allows blocking Tesla’s activity by workers from different sectors and locations. IF Metall denounces that multinational Tesla has tried to hire other mechanics to deal with the strike, but they have shown that the solidarity of unions and workers has been stronger than that of the millionaire entrepreneur.

The trade unions in Norway, Finland and Denmark have held a solidarity strike, inter alia, to underline the need for a collective agreement, particularly in these countries. Minimum wages and working conditions for workers are laid down by collective agreements, and 90% of Swedes are covered by agreements. In other countries these minima are legally established, through the Workers' Statute.

The strike started by the mechanics is increasingly echoing, and over the weeks more unions are joining the boycott, and it remains to be seen how far it will spread in Europe. Elon Muskiz, instead of taking action on the negotiation, said about the strike: “This is crazy.”