The strike against Tesla24 October, 2024It’s been a year since Swedish union IF Metall called for a strike against Tesla, as the US car manufacturer refuses to negotiate a collective agreement. In a labour market governed by dialogue between employers and unions for the last 100 years, going on strike represents a rare breakdown in a country where nearly 90 per cent of the workforce is covered by a collective agreement.
Workers on the streets in Brussels demand a Just Transition amid auto industry crisis19 September, 2024On 16 September, thousands of workers from across Europe gathered in Brussels to demand urgent action to protect jobs and ensure a Just Transition in the changing auto industry. We spoke with Georg Leutert, IndustriALL Global Union auto director, who explained the global impact of the shift to electric vehicles and why this demonstration matters for workers everywhere.
Solidarity in Malmö as Ford workers join Tesla picket line12 September, 2024In a show of solidarity, a delegation from Germany joined striking Tesla workers in Malmö on 10 September. The group of representatives from Ford Cologne’s works council, met with workers and union leaders to support their ongoing struggle for fair labour practices at Tesla's service centers in Sweden.
The right to strike: the heart of worker empowerment14 August, 2024The right to strike and the right to organize are fundamental pillars of worker empowerment, enshrined in International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98. These rights are essential for workers and unions to protect their interests and assert their power against the enormous economic and political influence of employers. Without the ability to strike, workers are left defenseless in wage negotiations, working conditions, and basic workplace dignity.
In Sweden, the fight against Tesla continues8 July, 2024Citizens and trade unions in Europe continue to fight against the methods employed by the American company Tesla. While plans to expand the company’s German production site at Grünheide, near Berlin, are still being contested by local environmental activists, Tesla mechanics in Sweden have been on strike for the last eight month. They have been supported by a large cross-industry boycott.
Rapid decline in workers' rights globally13 June, 2024The launch of ITUC’s 2024 global rights index makes for sad reading as workers’ rights are in decline around the world. Bangladesh, Belarus and Eswatini are among the ten worst countries in the world for working people.
Finnish government restricts right to strike29 May, 2024In violation of international labour standards, the Finnish parliament has approved new laws that effectively limits the right to strike in the country. Political strikes are now severely restricted, as is the right to sympathy strikes, a measure often used in the Nordic countries, like in the Tesla strike in Sweden.
COP28: People’s plenary demands climate justice and urgent action11 December, 2023Consensus was clear — urgent action is imperative, and the global community must prioritize addressing climate issues with a steadfast commitment to justice and inclusivity of all those affected. Amidst the powerful speeches, calls resonated for the recognition of Indigenous rights, an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, and for the well-being of future generations.
Tesla strike action spreads across borders 8 December, 2023Six weeks into IF Metall’s strike for a collective agreement at auto manufacturer Tesla, the solidarity strike action is spreading not only in Sweden, but also to neighbouring Denmark and Norway.
Tesla conflict in Sweden escalates9 November, 2023As electric car manufacturer Tesla refused to engage in negotiations on a collective agreement, Swedish union IF Metall realised it’s strike warnings on 27 October. With opposition to Tesla’s anti-union attitude growing, other Swedish unions are taking solidarity action to protect the right to collective bargaining. Unions in Norway are set to join the protest.
