En av de uteslutna mekanikerna på Tesla berättar om varför han valde att bli strejkbrytare efter IF Metalls strejk mot Teslas verkstäder i Sverige.
da.se
Excluded strikebreaker: "I'm terrified of IF Metall"
January 11, 2024 - 06:29
Written by
Mikael Färnbo and Janna Ayres
In a unique measure, IF Metall just before Christmas excluded a number of members who continued to work at Tesla, despite the strike. Now one of the excluded mechanics tells why he chose to become a strikebreaker.
Just before Christmas, IF Metall excluded a number of members who chose not to participate in the strike against Tesla. It was a unique measure, and "something you don't do for joy", as IF Metall's union secretary Martin Gunnarsson commented on the matter.
Dagens Arbete had the opportunity to speak with one of the expelled members, who wishes to remain anonymous.
What do you think about being expelled from IF Metall for not participating in the strike?
- So, I want to stay out, as far away from this as possible. I enjoy my job. No one asked me how I felt, what I wanted, the union just runs its own race.
IF Metall wants a collective agreement at Tesla in Sweden. What does collective agreement mean to you?
- It does not matter to me.
What do you think about the conditions you have now, the wages, how the employer treats you?
- I think it's good, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed, if we say so.
And the union's action then, that they exclude you, what do you think about that?
- Im happy for that. Now I avoid the monthly fee.
But you joined the union once upon a time. How has your view of the union changed from the time you joined until you are now expelled?
- When I joined, I was new to the industry, and it was obvious that you should join. Then when I got older I realized that the membership was just an expensive subscription to a magazine.
If you ask the union why you should join, it is to get help if you have problems with your employer, you have access to social security, help if you become unemployed and more?
- The A fund is state-owned, you can be a part of it in any case. And help with the employers, I don't know how they will help me? I can speak for myself. I have never had a problem with my employers.
What do you think about your colleagues who have gone on strike?
- Everyone has their own choice, it is free. I respect their choice, if we do say so. I have nothing to do with it.
You're not friends?
- No no.
Do you still talk to each other?
- I don't want to comment on that.
There have been many different sympathy measures from other trade unions. Stops for garbage collection, cleaning, electrical work, everything possible has been blocked. How does it work to continue working?
- I have not felt any change. It works as usual.
How do you think this conflict will end?
- No idea actually.
Do you think Tesla will sign a collective agreement?
- No I do not think so.
The union believes that you should stand up and go on strike to show solidarity with all other employees. How do you see it?
- You can turn that argument around, it goes both ways.
You mean that you are in solidarity in the other direction, i.e. with the company, with your colleagues who work?
- Yes exactly.
This argument about the Swedish model, that here in Sweden we have collective agreements and if companies come here from abroad, they must respect our traditions. How do you think about it?
- I have no opinions about it actually.
But do you think that Tesla should act differently when they come to Sweden, which has a strong tradition of trade unionism. Or do you think it is right to act in the same way as in, for example, the United States?
- It is not only Tesla that does not have a collective agreement in Sweden. So why do you have a conflict with Tesla in particular? Klarna* and Spotify also do not have a collective agreement.
How have you experienced the contacts with IF Metall?
- So you know, I'm terrified of IF Metall. They try to make it difficult for you, provoke, as it were, so that you feel that it is difficult to be at work.
How?
- They have called and sent messages and they have really tried to explain what the strike means and why I should join, before I was then excluded. And it sounded threatening actually, they have said that I will never be able to work in a union shop in the future and no unions will represent me in the future. That's how I understood it. That they will gang up against me.
So you feel that the trade union movement is trying to conspire against you?
- Yes, if we play with the idea that I would get tired of screwing up cars and change to another job, and join another union. Will I then not be able to join because I am excluded from IF Metall now? I do not know.
How does it feel to you?
- Quite honestly, no idea. Now it is as it is. I still don't think I will need the union in the future.
What do you think will happen if you have to look for another job?
- For me, there are no problems. I can basically get a job in any workshop.
But do you think the union will try to stop you then, if that workshop has a collective agreement?
- I think they will make it a bit difficult for me, but I don't know much about which laws and regulations apply, how much they are allowed to do and so on.
How has this time affected you?
- So I try to ignore them as much as I can. But it feels like they tried to bribe one right from the start when they increased the strike compensation to 130 percent of the salary.
Have you been feeling stressed?
- On and off actually.
And what has made you most stressed?
- The harassment mostly. This with the text messages, the calls and them standing outside.
What is the main reason why you did not join the strike?
- The main reason is that I care about the environment and enjoy my job. And I care a lot about our customers too. I want customers to feel safe choosing Tesla.
Martin Gunnarsson, IF Metall's union secretary, says that the pressure has been hard on everyone who works at Tesla.
IF Metall's union secretary Martin Gunnarsson says that it is unfortunate if someone feels watched over and feels afraid of the union. They have tried to get hold of all members to inform them about how the strike works, why it is important and what applies.
- If this person has experienced fear, it is of course unfortunate, a person experiences what he experiences. But we have tried to get hold of them in order to reason. It has been necessary to find out how certain things work, he says.
Have you taken any account of whether the members who did not strike said that they really want to, but are too afraid?
- I am convinced that there was a lot of pressure on everyone. Those who have gone on strike and those who are inside and working, members or not. But it is not possible to make that type of judgement, we have handled it on the basis that you have been disloyal to the statutes.
This person also said he was told by representatives that he will never be able to work at a union shop and that no unions will represent the person in the future. Is it something IF Metall is behind?
- No no. You don't keep that kind of record. It is personal information if someone has been a part of a trade union and you must not disclose it to anyone else. On the other hand, it would be a trial if the person were to request entry again to IF Metall. Then you have to take a position on it then, says Martin Gunnarsson.
* Klarna signed a collective agreement at the turn of the year.
