from Hacker News

‘We can’t let Tesla get away with this’: why Swedish unions are fighting Musk

by annabyrd on 12/3/23, 9:58 AM with 50 comments

  • by klyrs on 12/3/23, 11:19 AM

    > “I just don’t like anything which creates a lords and peasants kind of thing.”

    ~ literally the richest guy in the world

  • by danielfoster on 12/3/23, 11:41 AM

    Sweden has a population of 10 million. Only 120 workers are covered. Tesla is not prioritizing resources well by fighting this battle. They should subcontract these jobs like Amazon does, encourage Tesla owners to go to Denmark for service, or simply build cars that require less service.

  • by annabyrd on 12/3/23, 1:45 PM

    The contrast in the speed and level of disruption between SE (120 workers) and the DE (workforce of 11,000) is super interesting. Power of public policy, compliance and network effect wrapped up in an IRL use case.

  • by personomas on 12/3/23, 11:32 AM

    > A month into its strike, IF Metall is firmly dug in for the long haul. Striking workers are being fully compensated for lost pay.

    This idea of striking for ever and getting paid for striking is insanity.

    Europe is brutal to businesses.

    It's no wonder the economies here stagnate and there is no growth anymore.

    This isn't sustainable nor is it good.

    We can't treat businesses like they're expendable.

    As if one fails, it's ok, the next will grow in its place. These are not sustainable ideas - it causes huge waste and destruction and then oversea's companies (from China, India, etc) grow in their place.

    People don't want to start companies in Europe (the numbers are seriously decreasing) because they're hardly profitable anymore (because of taxes) and then its just endless fighting with employees and from above through bureaucracy.

    Employees want to get paid without having to contribute in a meaningful way. Governments get elected on the promises of protecting employees.

    Governments in Europe treats businesses like they're filthy rich snobs who desired to be punished. Laws are brutal tough. Business auditors and tax auditors are extremely tough and unfair.

    This isn't sustainable, nor is it good.