IF Metall ends industrial action against Tesla after almost three years

IF Metall has decided to end all industrial action against Tesla’s Swedish operations, after the company bought out all of its striking members. With no members remaining at Tesla, the union’s industrial action can no longer have an effect.

“There seems to be no limits to the length Tesla would go to keep unions out of their operations,” says Atle Høie, general secretary of industriAll global union. “Unfortunately they have managed to pay their way out in Sweden. At least that has given the former IF Metall members more money in their pocket, but the insecurity of not having a union or a collective agreement still remains,”

says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.

IF Metall’s full statement

Dear colleagues and friends,

IF Metall has decided to end all industrial action against Tesla’s Swedish operations.

The reason is straightforward. Tesla has bought out all of our striking members at the company. With no members remaining at Tesla, our industrial action can no longer have an effect.

This does not mean that the fundamental issue behind the conflict has changed. Our goal remains that collective agreements should apply throughout the Swedish labour market, and IF Metall remains ready to fight for collective agreements wherever and whenever employers oppose them.

Tesla, however, has proven to be an entirely exceptional employer. Rather than accept collective bargaining, the company has systematically used strikebreakers and devoted enormous financial resources to undermine the strike. Ultimately, Tesla chose to buy out our union members rather than give them the security and influence that comes with a collective agreement.

For almost three years, our members at Tesla have carried this conflict. Their courage and determination cannot be overstated. Being on strike for such a long period comes with enormous personal sacrifices, and we fully understand why our members have accepted the buyouts offered by the company.

But throughout these almost three years, they – and IF Metall – have never stood alone.

Trade unions across the Nordic countries, Europe and the world have stood with us. You have taken solidarity actions, mobilised your organisations and members, and made it clear that fundamental trade union rights are not a national concern. When workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively is challenged in one country, it concerns us all.

Your solidarity have been invaluable.

This conflict has put the value of collective bargaining on the national and international agenda. It has also demonstrated that international trade union solidarity is not an abstract principle. When it is needed, it becomes real, practical and powerful.

Today, we end our industrial action against Tesla. We do so because it can no longer have an effect – not because our principles have changed.

We will continue to defend the right of workers to organize. We will continue to fight for collective bargaining. And we will continue to stand in solidarity with workers and trade unions facing similar challenges elsewhere – just as you have stood with us.

To all our friends in the international trade union movement: thank you.

Thank you for your actions, your messages, your persistence, and your solidarity. Your support has meant more to us – and to our members at Tesla – than we can adequately express.

We will not forget it.

In solidarity, IF Metall Sweden