IF Metall's Tesla conflict a strategic failure

IF Metall took a battle against Tesla that lacked a credible path to any kind of victory. Yet the leadership stubbornly pushed the conflict on for years, against better judgment, while its own members paid the price.

They were kept away from their professions at the same time as the union leaders spoke loudly about "the Swedish model" and waved flags on television.

In the end, the strikers voted with their feet, took Tesla's offers and moved on. The membership fund was set on fire. IF Metall is left without a collective agreement, without a strike and with a monumental strategic failure.

It is not enough to have a white paper and some self-critical statements from management. Smarter leaders are needed.

Those responsible for this "prestige project" must make their seats available. IF Metall should immediately call for extra member votes on the confidence in the management that drove the conflict.

A trade union belongs to the members - not the ombudsmen and functionaries who trumpet political slogans. If they had kept their heads on the shaft, this would not have happened.

I'm not a fan of Musk. On the contrary. It's sour to give Musk a win. Even more sour for the commoners who were denied their careers. Train trade union leaders in entrepreneurship and they will win more victories in negotiations and conflicts with entrepreneurs.

After the Tesla disaster, it is the members, not the union leaders themselves, who will decide who gets to stay. I would resign voluntarily if I were one of the pampas in IF Metall and take a regular job instead.