At least 400 employees at Northvolt, which recently entered chapter 11 bankruptcy, have signed a petition against a bonus program worth 59 million kronor, allocated to 230 individuals within the company, reports SVT Nyheter.
According to Victoria Hart, an elected representative of IF Metall, the program has caused significant frustration among the workforce.
– People don’t understand how the company can claim that 230 individuals are more important than the other 2,000 employees, she told SVT.
Northvolt was authorized by the bankruptcy court to allocate 59 million kronor to employees deemed "key personnel" when the program was introduced.
The company has declined to comment on the dissatisfaction but stated to SVT that the bonuses are contingent on there being "sufficient funds available."
According to Northvolt, the 230 key personnel are spread across all facilities and represent various levels within the organization. The management team is excluded and not eligible for this bonus.
Hart highlights that her members have recently witnessed 850 colleagues lose their jobs. Those who remain are working hard, and the bonus program aimed at retaining key personnel is negatively impacting the motivation of the broader workforce.
– If the company can’t take care of the rest of its staff, it will face significant challenges. We must stand up for those who actually manufacture the cells, who are on the factory floor, working tirelessly every day for this company. Aren’t they key personnel?