California governor may investigate reopening of Tesla factory in defiance of county orders

Record ID: 1551687

  • Title: California governor may investigate reopening of Tesla factory in defiance of county orders
  • Date: 11th May 2020
  • Summary: FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (MAY 8, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TESLA EMPLOYEES IN PARKING LOT
  • Embargoed: 25th May 2020 21:52
  • Keywords: Alameda County vs Tesla COVID-19 California California reopening Elon Musk Gavin Newsom Tesla Tesla Fremont factory Tesla reopening coronavirus pandemic public health
  • Location: SACRAMENTO + FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: SACRAMENTO + FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA003CDHMZ47
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITOR'S NOTE: SHOT 6 FEATURES A GREEN FLASH IN THE SOUNDBITE. THIS IS FROM THE SOURCE
    Tesla Inc on Monday told employees at its primary vehicle factory in California to return to work, defying local officials, who said days earlier that the plant should remain closed as lockdown measures remain in effect to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
    The scuffle comes as states and cities around the United States are experimenting with ways to safely reopen their economies after the virus outbreak shuttered businesses and forced tens of millions of Americans out of work.
    Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk over the weekend threatened to leave California for Texas or Nevada over the fight. His move has highlighted the competition for jobs and ignited a rush to woo the billionaire executive by states that have more quickly reopened their economies in response to encouragement from U.S. President Donald Trump.
    In an email on Monday, Tesla referred to an order on Thursday by California's governor allowing manufacturers to resume operations and said that as of Sunday, previously furloughed employees were back to their regular employment status.
    "We're happy to get back to work and have implemented very detailed plans to help you keep safe as you return," according to the email seen by Reuters and titled "Furlough Has Ended And We Are Back To Work in Production!"
    California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday said he spoke to Musk several days ago and that the Tesla founder's concerns helped prompt the state to begin its phased reopening of manufacturing last week.
    "I have not only known that company but I have known its founder for many, many years," Newsom said in his daily coronavirus press briefing. "I have great reverence for their technology, for their innovative spirit, for their leadership."
    Health officials in Alameda County, where the Fremont factory is based, said on Friday and Saturday it must remain closed as long as local lockdown measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus remain in effect.
    Tesla on Saturday sued the county, and Musk threatened in a tweet to leave the state, where the company is among the largest employers and manufacturers, for Texas or Nevada.
    Tesla's lawsuit accused Alameda County of violating California's constitution by defying Newsom's orders on Thursday allowing manufacturers to reopen.
    Alameda County did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
    (Production: Nathan Frandino)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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