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I think that whole thing is just a huge misunderstanding of elmu thinking that whole world works like USA. And even in USA, union members in average earn 18% mo
by stiray 3y ago
I think that whole thing is just a huge misunderstanding of elmu thinking that whole world works like USA. And even in USA, union members in average earn 18% more than others.
On the other side, strike and unionizing is one of basic workers rights here and you just don't fight unions in EU. As you will be losing more money than if you get to an agreement with them.
When elmu started his crusade against unions, I was laughing: "another USA manager that doesn't understand that he is no longer in states". But I never thought that he will be stupid enough to continue.
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I think also that most of young in USA and EU are in misunderstanding what Musk did and what he is fighting against. But I think they should and they SHOULD understand what solidarity means and what it can do. And why employers are trying to discredit unions, prevent them etc. - here you can check the Last Week Tonight on union busting in states: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8dUXRpoy8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8dUXRpoy8
(the numbers are just for illustration, google them, they are public)
Musk fights against one union. With 100.000 members. That union is in federation with 10 other unions with 100.000 members and federations are joining into confederations.
Even first federations presents a formidable force, from political perspective (number of votes on state elections), to pure money and people power.
You cant win, this is now, for unions and federations of unions, cultural fight. Initial union is no longer important and even if they would want to stop, they cant. If he will be poking long enough whole EU will fight him, from politicians that cant afford to lose votes from unions members and on top of that, do you think that German car industry is happy about him on EU soil? They would gladly cover wages for anyone striking.
If ETUC joins (largest EU trade union), he will be against 45 million workers and 41 EU states, and additional 10 union federations, probably bringing together numbers of 100 million workers, 1/5 of EU population without counting smaller unions. There is no politician that would want to lose their member votes and absolutely no EU capitalist that would be stupid enough to fight them even in worse nightmare. The backlash will be so huge all over EU that he wont sell even a free sample of Tesla car except to the greatest "individualists/fanboys" and they will have car windows broken on daily basis as quislings.
That's why never before something like this happened. As no one would be stupid enough to tease them.
If I would be him, I would pull back when second union was in play and reach silent agreement that wouldn't come to the news. Now, with 20 unions in protest? With two countries involved and potential for whole EU?
That's why I am saying, that he just didn't understand what is he fighting against. My honest advice. Stop. Now. Dont wait.
- Havelock 3y agoUnfortunately either side can't blink. IF Metall can't back down because then other companies could get ideas to leave. And Elmu doesn't want to back down because then other countries could get ideas about unionising which would affect their bottom line.
- black_puppydog 3y agotells you a lot about where we are, if one dude is trying (and reasonably expecting) to stare down entire countries...
- filoleg 3y agoMore like, one company is trying (and reasonably expecting) to stare down a few unions across 3 countries, with each one of the countries individually having a smaller GDP than the market cap of that company. Yeah, I am kinda seeing that expectation to be pretty realistic.
- rsynnott 3y agoEh. Every other multinational that tried this bit of brinksmanship backed down, more or less, with minimal contagion. McDonalds remains un-unionised in America, say.
- junofan 3y agoThere’s also the mechanics working at these garages. The timing and ferocity of this action is strange to me as an outsider considering Tesla’s been in Sweden for a decade. If Tesla mechanics received stock in 2013, some of them probably got rich. It’s plausible Tesla mechanics actually think it’s awesome to receive tons of overtime, stock, and perf bonuses. I haven’t seen their perspective covered in the media, which I find suspicious.
- martin8412 3y agoIF Metall hasn't played their best card yet. The finance industry union. If forced, they'll play that. That will freeze all transactions. Tesla won't be able to pay bills and won't be able to receive funds.