The union representing Air Canada pilots has raised concerns over what they perceive as a “retaliatory and anti-labour” move by Scandinavian Airlines, where Air Canada’s incoming CEO currently holds the top position.
Anko van der Werff is set to transition from his role as president and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to assume the same responsibilities at Air Canada by the end of January.
Scandinavian Airlines recently terminated Captain Mattias Åman Thiel, who also serves as the chair of the SAS section of the Swedish Pilots’ Association. While the airline confirmed the dismissal to Radio-Canada, they did not disclose the specific reasons behind this decision.
Both the union and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, which represents over 160,000 pilots globally, have demanded Thiel’s reinstatement.
In a letter addressed to van der Werff and obtained by Radio-Canada, the president of ALPA Canada, representing pilots at major and regional Canadian airlines, denounced the dismissal as “unwarranted.”
ALPA Canada’s president, Tim Perry, emphasized the importance of how van der Werff’s handling of this situation would impact his relationship with ALPA Canada pilots upon assuming leadership at Air Canada.
Despite requests for comment, Air Canada declined to provide a statement on the matter involving another carrier. Additionally, van der Werff did not respond to Radio-Canada’s interview request, whereas SAS defended its decision.
SAS spokesperson Alexandra Lindgren Kaoukji maintained that the airline refrains from commenting on individual employment issues but stressed their commitment to the Scandinavian labour model and collaborative relationships with colleagues.
The dismissal of Thiel has been contested by the chair of the Swedish Airline Pilots Association (SWEALPA), Tristan Okkonen, who expressed shock over the situation. Okkonen noted that Thiel’s alleged grounds for dismissal, related to overseas travel during union duties, were refuted by court documents indicating Thiel was working remotely at the time.
The pilots’ union is seeking Thiel’s reinstatement through the Swedish Labour Court and pursuing compensation from SAS. Okkonen highlighted that Thiel’s termination followed tense salary negotiations and pilot protests against working overtime, actions that were not orchestrated by the union.
The head of the Canadian pilots’ union expressed concerns about the implications of Thiel’s dismissal on the future relationship between Air Canada’s new CEO and the employees, underscoring the importance of trust in fostering a healthy work environment. Plans are underway to rally members in support of Thiel’s demands.