The majority of Swedes are in favor of the current mechanics' strike taking place at Tesla's workshops in Nordic countries. The strike revolves around the workers' demand for the right to engage in collective bargaining, as revealed in a recent Novus opinion poll.

Resistance from Unions

The American car manufacturer Tesla is encountering resistance from unions and pension funds throughout the Nordic region. The opposition stems from Tesla's refusal to meet the demand by the trade union IF Metall. Members of this union, employed at Tesla workshops, have been on strike since October, intensifying the dispute.

On Thursday, a coalition of Nordic institutional investors conveyed their profound concern to Tesla through a letter. They expressed unease regarding the ongoing conflict between the company and labor unions in Sweden. In the letter, the investors urged Tesla to reassess its stance on collective bargaining, signaling a desire for a more collaborative and constructive approach to address the prevailing labor issues. 

In its fight against Tesla, 58% of Swedes back the union, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the daily Svenska Dagbladet, where 20% of participants believe the union's industrial action is unwarranted. This indicates that the surveyed population clearly and firmly supports the union's position.

READ ALSO: Workers at Non-Union Automakers in the U.S. Lodge Unfair Labor Practice Charges, Defying Union-Busting Tactics

Dispute Triggering Sympathy

The ongoing dispute has triggered sympathy strikes throughout the Nordic region, which holds strategic importance for Tesla. Additionally, the conflict has led certain pension funds to divest their shares in the company as a response to the escalating labor dispute. The disagreement's repercussions extend beyond the immediate scope of the primary conflict, affecting both Tesla's operations and the shareholder landscape.

Not one collective bargaining agreement has been signed by Tesla's roughly 127,000 workers. Elon Musk, the CEO of the business, has publicly stated that he opposes unions and that Tesla will not be holding formal talks with its employees about collective bargaining. This strategy has exacerbated labor-related conflicts and tensions about Tesla's hiring procedures.

According to a Novus poll, most Swedes expressed that their confidence in Tesla had diminished due to the ongoing conflict. As reported by SvD, the survey indicates a notable decline in public trust or belief in Tesla during the dispute, shedding light on the impact of labor-related tensions on the company's perception among the Swedish populace.

According to Torbjorn Sjostrom, the CEO of Novus, there is robust and widespread support for the Swedish model. This assertion emphasizes the high level of approval or endorsement for the established practices and principles associated with the Swedish model, as highlighted in the context of ongoing discussions or conflicts.

In the Swedish labor market model, employers and unions negotiate directly to determine working conditions and salaries, with minimal government intervention. This approach underscores a high degree of autonomy and collaboration between the private sector and labor organizations, reflecting a distinctive feature of the Swedish employment framework.

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