Joint Statement from the Scandinavian Pilot Associations

The dismissal of union president Mattias Åman Thiel and the written warning issued to union president Roger Klokset mark a deeply concerning development in the relationship between SAS and the elected representatives of its pilots.

The Nordic labour model is built on trust, respect for organised labour and strong, independent employee representatives. Disagreements between management and employees must be addressed through dialogue, negotiation and established legal processes; not through fear of personal or professional consequences.

Elected union representatives are afforded special protection for a reason. Their role is to ask difficult questions, to challenge management when necessary and to represent their colleagues even when doing so is uncomfortable or contentious. No elected representative should ever have to choose between fulfilling the mandate entrusted to them by their colleagues and protecting their own career.

For pilots, this has an additional dimension. Aviation depends on a culture in which people speak up, challenge decisions and report concerns without fear of retaliation. Management through fear has no place in Scandinavian aviation.

The implications extend far beyond Mattias and Roger. They concern every pilot who today, or in the future, considers taking on the responsibility of representing their colleagues, and every employee who must be able to trust that speaking up is safe.

We stand united across Sweden, Denmark and Norway. We expect SAS to respect the Nordic labour model, the right to independent trade union representation and the particular protection that must accompany the role of an elected representative.

This is about the principles that will define SAS – now and for the future.