Tesla filed a lawsuit against Sweden’s Transport Agency due to a strike by postal workers preventing the delivery of license plates for Tesla cars. The strike is part of a wider conflict between Sweden’s labor unions and the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer.
A month ago, workers at seven Tesla-owned repair shops in Sweden went on strike, prompting workers from various other industries to join in support of the mechanics’ union, IF Metall. This includes dockworkers, electricians, painters, and postal employees. Postal workers started refusing to deliver any mail or packages to Tesla’s facilities on Nov. 20, including license plates.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, publicly criticized the strikes, calling them “insane”. Tesla then took legal action against the Transport Agency and the postal company, PostNord, arguing that its employees should be allowed to pick up the license plates from the agency directly. The lawsuit resulted in a temporary order requiring the agency to make the plates available to Tesla until a final ruling is made.
The automaker also demanded a 1 million kronor fine unless the agency allowed Tesla to retrieve the license plates within three days. The agency, however, stated that it does not share Tesla’s view on the issue.
The postal workers’ participation in the strike has led to the license plates not being delivered. The Transport Agency confirmed Tesla’s right to have the issue addressed in court. The Solna District Court, handling Tesla’s case against PostNord, did not immediately allow Tesla to collect 28 license plates in the postal company’s possession. A ruling in that case is pending.
Sweden has a long history of organized labor, allowing the right to strike as enshrined in the country’s constitution. Tesla has faced resistance from its employees around the world trying to organize.
Christina Anderson contributed reporting.
