Tesla lobbyist tried to get "audience" with minister
Olof Svensson
Updated 08.34 | Published 06.24
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Tesla tries to influence the Swedish government in the middle of the conflict.
In an email to the Labor Market Ministry, the company asks for an "audience" with responsible minister Johan Pehrson (L).
But the government nods to Elon Musk.
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Tesla tried to arrange a meeting with Labor Market Minister Johan Pehrson amid an ongoing conflict with unions demanding collective agreements for factory workers in Sweden.
The union believes that the company's pressure on the government shows that they do not understand Swedish labor market rules.
The government declined the meeting with Tesla, citing the Swedish model where employees and employers themselves are responsible for functioning labor market relations.
A number of trade unions are in conflict with Tesla because the car giant refuses to sign a collective agreement with factory employees in Sweden. The government has been very cautious about commenting on the conflict. Labor market minister Johan Pehrson (L) has said that the Swedish model means that the parties must resolve the situation themselves.
However, Tesla has a different view.
In an email to a political expert at the Ministry of Labor Markets, the company's Nordic lobbyist tries to arrange a meeting directly with the Minister of Labor Markets.
"We wonder if it would be possible to have a short audience with Minister Pehrson to inform him about the ongoing labor market conflict we are exposed to?" he writes.
Axel Mårtensson, chief of staff at Pehrson, says that there was no meeting after the email.
Axel Mårtensson, chief of staff at Pehrson, says that there was no meeting after the email.
Stopped at Tesla
Aftonbladet has been in contact with the lobbyist to ask questions about the purpose of the meeting, but he announces that he has quit Tesla. He refers to the communications manager in Sweden, Maria Lantz.
She does not answer the phone but sends a text message asking for "details of the matter". Aftonbladet responds, but Lantz does not return.
Johan Pehrson (L)
Johan Pehrson (L)
Photo: Krister Hansson
The Tesla letter is dated November 20. Axel Mårtensson, chief of staff at Pehrson, says that there was no meeting.
"The government stands behind the Swedish model where trade unions and employers take responsibility for the functioning of the labor market. Out of respect for the talks that are now being held, we have not had a meeting with any of the parties involved." he writes in a comment.
A number of trade unions are in conflict with Tesla because the car giant refuses to sign a collective agreement with factory employees in Sweden.
A number of trade unions are in conflict with Tesla because the car giant refuses to sign a collective agreement with factory employees in Sweden.
Photo: Jimmy Wixtröm
"Do not understand"
IF Metall – the union that was the first to strike – thinks that Tesla's letter shows that the company does not understand how it works in Sweden.
- It is obvious that they do not understand that what we engage in are completely legal measures, says chairman Marie Nilsson.
She adds that she finds it difficult to see the purpose of the meeting invitation.
- If you do not want to sign a collective agreement, then you must be prepared for the trade union movement to take measures. I don't know what they expect the state to be able to do.
Marie Nilsson, chairman of IF Metall.
Marie Nilsson, chairman of IF Metall.
Photo: Jerker Ivarsson
On Tuesday, word came that trade unions in Denmark are also announcing a strike in sympathy with the Swedish unions. Marie Nilsson says that it is now important to wait and see how it is received by the other party.
- We are persistent and trying to get Tesla to understand that we are not interested in anything other than signing a collective agreement for the mechanics.
Elon Musk.
Elon Musk.
Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
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