Sweden: Tesla ends strike by buying out employees
After nearly three years of industrial action, the Swedish trade union IF Metall has ended its strike at Tesla. The US car manufacturer had refused to sign a collective agreement, as is customary in Sweden. According to reports, it "bought out" around 80 remaining striking employees with severance packages.
US giant has the upper hand
The Swedish model has lost against the American corporation, notes Expressen:
“Since 1938, collective agreements - rather than legal regulations - have governed the Swedish labour market. Employers agree to negotiate agreements on working conditions in exchange for the trade unions refraining from strike action. This has yielded significant economic benefits for Swedish companies and society. Workers' rights are safeguarded. But if Tesla refuses to negotiate and IF Metall lacks the power to force it to do so, Tesla gains the right to define the working conditions itself. And the Swedish model has lost the fight against the American giant.”
Gathering invaluable experience in combat
Commenting in eldiario.es, labour market expert Quim González Muntades does not see this as a defeat:
“It's tempting to interpret this outcome as proof of the end of an era, confirmation that workers' solidarity is powerless against unlimited capital. ... There is no signed agreement, no formal victory, and the trade union is being forced to rethink its strategy. ... Yet the resistance is not dead; it has gained experience, it is analysing its weaknesses and preparing for the next phase. The big question of our times – who sets the rules when a multinational places itself above society – remains unanswered, underpinned by 1,021 days of invaluable experience in struggle.”