Swedish Union Ends Three-Year Tesla Strike After Buyout

Sweden's IF Metall union has announced it is ending its three-year industrial action against Tesla, effective August 19. The decision comes after the electric carmaker bought out all union members who were on strike at the company.

"This means that the conflict no longer has any effect," the union said in a statement, marking the conclusion of what has been described as Sweden's longest strike.

The dispute began in October 2023 when Tesla mechanics walked off the job, demanding that the company sign collective agreements. The conflict became a prominent example of the tension between CEO Elon Musk's opposition to unionization and Sweden's deeply rooted collective bargaining system.

Tesla does not operate manufacturing plants in Sweden, but its vehicles are serviced by IF Metall workers. Throughout the conflict, the U.S. company continued selling new cars and performing repairs in the country.

In its statement, IF Metall expressed frustration with Tesla's approach. "We can conclude that Tesla is so strongly opposed to collective agreements that they would rather buy out employees who are members of the union than give them safe conditions," the union said, calling the move "unprecedented in the Swedish labour market."

Despite ending the strike, IF Metall reiterated its commitment to collective agreements across Sweden. Tesla has maintained that its staff enjoy terms equal to or better than those the union was demanding, and has not commented on the buyout.

The strike had drawn support from several other Nordic trade unions during its duration. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the resolution.