Tesla Ends Sweden’s Longest Strike by Buying Out Strikers
Tesla has put an end to Sweden’s longest industrial conflict, lasting 1,021 days, by buying out every last striking worker.
IF Metall suspended its strike against Tesla on August 19, 2026, after the company successfully bought out its roughly 80 remaining strikers, one at a time. The union announced the end of the action on August 13, with the official handover set for one minute past midnight on Wednesday, August 19.
The strike began on October 27, 2023, when around 120 mechanics across seven Swedish workshops went on strike, demanding a collective agreement. It quickly escalated into a nationwide phenomenon as various worker unions joined in solidarity.
How the Strike Ended
IF Metall attributed the end of the strike to Tesla’s unwavering opposition to collective agreements. The company chose to buy out its striking employees rather than negotiate secure working conditions.
Marie Nilsson, union chair, acknowledged their failure, stating, "Det är klart vi har misslyckats" (it is clear that we have failed). However, she also praised the strikers as union heroes.
Tesla’s Standpoint
Tesla has consistently rejected the need for collective agreements, arguing that Swedish law already provides all necessary terms and conditions for employment, including occupational pensions, working hours, and safe working conditions. The company did not comment further when reached by Reuters.
Investors React
The end of the strike was met with positive market sentiment, with Tesla shares closing 4% higher on Thursday, rising a further 1% after-hours.
Sweden’s Unique Labour Model
Sweden operates without a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective agreements between unions and employer federations to determine pay, hours, and pensions. This system has led to some unique scenarios, like the Tesla strike, where a single workshop dispute can escalate into a nationwide action due to the importance of these agreements in regulating labor relations.