EVwire brief: The number of active Tesla strikers in Stockholm has reportedly fallen from 21 workers at the start of the year to just nine today, according to multiple sources cited by Swedish labor publication Dagens Arbete (DA).
The report stated that most of the departures were tied to controversy surrounding IF Metall’s high-profile tax gaffe and new requirements for up to 40 hours of weekly picketing activity imposed on strikers.
Several current and former strikers interviewed by the publication described declining trust in the union and growing frustration over changing conditions during the 2.5-year protest.
Current striker “Ronja,” who chose to remain in the conflict, described the situation:
It’s a disaster. In our group, half has disappeared in just two weeks.
IF Metall’s strike against Tesla Sweden has been ongoing for over 2.5 years
Quick hat tip to Tesla Sweden watcher Anders Nyman for sharing this story on X:
Context:
The controversy stems largely from IF Metall’s earlier admission that it incorrectly paid taxes on strike compensation despite Swedish rules stating that such payments should not be taxed.
As a result, some striking workers had their SGI status, the income level used to calculate Swedish social insurance benefits, reduced to zero.
Several strikers told Dagens Arbete that the change created uncertainty around future parental leave, unemployment support, and other state benefits despite union promises to compensate affected workers financially.
IF Metall currently requires strikers to render 40 hours a week on the picket line
“When they came out with the news that we would be zero-rated, we had a thousand questions,” former striker “Anders” told the publication. “But it was more of a message that this is how it will be. Then we had 30 minutes to ask questions, and they had no answers.”
“Anders” also noted that it eventually became difficult to encourage colleagues to join the strike against Tesla Sweden.
“My goal was to get more people to go on strike. But when I stood there and explained to my colleagues that if you want to go on strike, this is how it is now. Then of course everyone backed down.”
Unions in Sweden have targeted Tesla’s initiatives, including the expansion of the Supercharger network
IF Metall debunks strikers’ allegations
Several workers criticized IF Metall’s decision to require up to 40 hours per week of picketing activity, with some claiming the policy was introduced abruptly and without meaningful discussion.
It felt more like a punishment.
The former striker added that it almost feels like the union is pushing the strikers to give up and end the strike. This way, the union cannot be blamed.
IF Metall, however, disputed claims that the strike was collapsing or that the union was attempting to push workers out of the conflict.
Union contract secretary Simon Petersson acknowledged that some workers had returned to Tesla, but he firmly rejected claims of a broader breakdown in participation.
“It is true that some have returned to work and it is very sad of course… But it has happened throughout this period that people have left the conflict.”
“That we want to end the strike is completely correct. But that we would like them to drop out is absolutely not true. Then we would have ended the strike now. It is the easiest thing in the world to do, to end all ongoing strike actions. We have no ambition to do that.”
Source: Dagens Arbete (DA)
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