Swedish Labor Dispute Causes Chaos at Tesla Superchargers

The ongoing labor dispute between Tesla and IF Metall, a Swedish Metalworkers Union, has resulted in disruptions at Tesla’s Supercharger stations in Sweden. The strike, which began in October 2023, revolves around Tesla’s refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement with the union. Despite Tesla’s competitive compensation packages, many employees are hesitant to join the union and have shown their support by wearing vests that say “Tack, det ӓr bra” – “Thanks, I’m good.”

Unlike other facilities worldwide, Tesla does not have any unions in place, making the situation in Sweden a significant departure from the norm. The strike has expanded beyond Tesla’s service centers to include various unionized bodies in Sweden, causing disruptions in the supply chain and impacting new Tesla owners.

Current Impact on Superchargers

As a result of the strike, 100 Tesla Supercharger stalls across six sites remain unpowered. Local electricity companies, whose employees are conducting sympathy strikes against Tesla, are responsible for enabling these Supercharger stations. The lack of power has left EV drivers in Sweden struggling, with long lines forming at the few operational Supercharger stations.

Tesla’s Director of Charging, Max de Zegher, has expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the impact on both Tesla and other EV drivers in Sweden. The disruption has forced drivers to wait in long queues for charging or seek alternative charging sites, which may not provide the same level of service as Tesla’s Supercharger network.

While the outcome of the labor dispute remains uncertain, the situation underscores the challenges faced by both Tesla and its employees in navigating unionization efforts.