OTTAWA — A prominent Canadian pilots union has strongly criticized the actions of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), currently led by Anko van der Werff, the incoming President and CEO of Air Canada. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada alleged that SAS management’s decision to dismiss a pilot representing the union was retaliatory and anti-labor.
Captain Mattias Åman Thiel, a senior pilot at Scandinavian Airlines and chairman of the Swedish Pilots Association, was terminated by the company last month. Although the action was taken under the accusation that he traveled abroad during time set aside for union work, Thiel has approached the Swedish Labour Court, proving that he was working remotely. Both the Swedish Labour Court and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) have demanded Thiel’s immediate reinstatement.
Severe disputes had persisted between the pilots and management over wage increases last spring. This intensifies suspicions that the disciplinary action against the union leader was a act of retaliation. In a letter sent to Anko van der Werff, ALPA Canada President Tim Perry warned that how he handles this issue will reflect his future approach toward employees at Air Canada.
However, an SAS spokesperson stated that the airline would not comment on individual personnel matters and emphasized that the same rules apply to all employees regardless of their position. Air Canada has not officially responded to the matter.
