TRANSPORT workers and dockers in Denmark said on Monday that they would refuse to move Tesla vehicles from Sweden, according to their union.

Denmark’s largest union, 3F, said their members were taking the action in support of a strike by 130 mechanics employed by Tesla in Sweden over union recognition and collective bargaining.

Jan Villadsen, head of 3F’s transport sector, said: “IF Metall and the Swedish workers are currently fighting an incredibly important battle. When they ask for our support, we take part, of course.” 

Mr Villadsen said that the action aimed to get Tesla back round the negotiating table. 

Tesla boss Elon Musk has instructed his management in Sweden not to engage in talks with IF Metall and the Swedish mediation service.

Mr Villadsen said: “Even if you are one of the richest people in the world, you can’t just make your own rules. We have some agreements on the labour market in the Nordic countries, and you have to comply with them if you want to do business here.”

Norwegian dockworkers have also said they would refuse to unload Teslas destined for Sweden. 

Meanwhile Mr Musk told  a recent New York Times event: “I disagree with the idea of unions. I just don’t like anything which creates a lords and peasants kind of thing.”