Fellesforbundet, Norway’s largest private sector labour union revealed Wednesday that, starting this month, the union will start blocking transit shipments of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) cars meant for the Swedish market. The act is part of a growing Nordic movement to support striking mechanics in Sweden.
IF Metall, the leading Swedish union, initiated industrial action against Tesla in October in an effort to compel the American electric vehicle manufacturer to agree to collective bargaining deals with mechanics.
Dockworkers in Sweden have already declined to unload Tesla vehicles arriving by ship. Additionally, various cohorts including Swedish electricians, cleaners, postal workers, and even an auto components manufacturer have pledged to withhold their services from the company.
Fellesforbundet expressed its determination to send a “clear signal” to Tesla and take necessary actions to prevent vehicle shipments from Norway to Sweden. However, the union refrained from specifying the exact measures it might employ to achieve this goal.
"The right to demand a collective agreement is an obvious part of our working life and we can't accept that Tesla places itself on the outside," Said Fellesforbundet leader Joern Eggum a statement.
Denmark's 3F labor union announced on Tuesday its solidarity with the Swedish mechanics by declaring their refusal to unload or transport Tesla-manufactured cars destined for customers in Sweden.
Both the Norwegian and Danish unions clarified that their actions would solely impact cars intended for the Swedish market.
The Norwegian union's actions would begin on Dec. 20.