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The ongoing IF Metall strike has escalated to impact Tesla’s operations in Sweden significantly.
As of Monday night, a sympathy measure by Seko has resulted in Postnord halting all mail delivery to Tesla, including registration plates crucial for new vehicles’ service entry. Despite Tesla’s contention against what it calls “disproportionate action” by the Swedish Transport Agency and state-owned Postnord, the blockade remains firm.
The strike, in its quest for a collective agreement, has not halted work at Tesla’s facilities. Staff continue to ready cars for customer delivery, traditionally including mounting number plates delivered via Postnord, reports Dagens industry (Di). However, this routine has come to a standstill, with Postnord’s press manager Anders Porelius confirming the stoppage of all mail to Tesla, citing the right to strike as a force majeure.
This postal blockade has potentially significant repercussions. With an average of 1,700 new Teslas registered monthly in Sweden, the delay in plate delivery could disrupt new car registrations. The Swedish Transport Agency’s Anna Berggrund states that their agreement with Scandinavian Motorcenter (SMC), the plate supplier, does not permit direct pickup from the manufacturer, further complicating the situation.
Tesla, in a statement to Di, insisted that the blockade does not immediately impact their delivery capability but criticized the actions of the Swedish Transport Agency and Postnord. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, called the strike situation “insane” on X on Wednesday.
The Swedish Post and Telecommunications Board (PTS) is monitoring the situation closely. Postnord, a joint Danish and Swedish state-owned entity, is obliged under postal legislation to distribute mail nationwide, an obligation now in conflict due to the strike.