Tesla will now get its mail a little late if the carmaker gets it at all.
The Swedish postal workers union Seko announced Monday it’s joining the expanding strike against the U.S. electric vehicle company. Seko is teaming up with Tesla’s striking mechanics, who have been on the picket lines since last month, and Sweden’s dockworkers’ union, which has blocked the import of all Tesla cars.
Since Seko is on strike, Tesla will likely not get its mail. And important parts used for maintenance will no longer be shipped through CityMail and PostNord.
The addition of striking postal workers widens the scope of Tesla’s labor battle in Sweden. After over 100 mechanics moved to unionize in the country, Tesla refused to sign a collective bargaining agreement with the union IF Metall, which represents the mechanics.
The workers subsequently walked off the job, with the union accusing Tesla of hiring strikebreakers to lessen the cost of IF Metall’s strike. Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, are against unionization at their factories in the U.S. and abroad.
The strikes in Sweden may be a proving ground for an upcoming unionization effort at Tesla facilities in the U.S. With the United Auto Workers securing contracts with the big three automakers, President Shawn Fain announced he intends to go after nonunion companies like Tesla.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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