The pilots represented by the Aeropers union are following up on the wage dispute with the Swiss airline and rejecting the proposed arbitration. So far, the employers' offers have not been well received by the employee representatives. The voting process on possible strike measures is also currently underway.

The negotiations have been going on for a long time, because talks have been going on since 2021. So far no agreement has been reached. "During the process to date, we have twice offered Swiss management mediation or arbitration, with these offers being rejected by Swiss time and time again," says Clemens Kopetz, President of the Aeropers Pilots' Association. "We ask ourselves why the management now considers an arbitration procedure to be useful after it has consistently rejected this path up to now."

The Swiss airline union also criticizes the fact that the suggestion for an arbitration procedure was received only a few minutes before the official media release. In a broadcast, Aeropers questions the "seriousness of the intention expressed". The possible duration of 45 days is also considered to be too long.

“The pilots now need commitment and a stable environment in order to be able to continue to transport their passengers safely and reliably. I therefore suggested to Dieter Vranckx, the CEO of SWISS, a final round of negotiations in a small management group in order to bring the negotiation process, which was far too long and unproductive for both sides, to a successful conclusion in a timely manner,” said the Aeropers President.

In a media statement, the workers' representatives emphasized that the vote on a possible pilots' strike is proceeding according to plan. At the same time, however, one hopes for an agreement at the negotiating table. On September 29, 2022, a protest march will be held in Kloten. The result of the ballot is to be announced on October 16, 2022. "If the members agree to the board's motion and the conversation between me and the SWISS CEO does not come about or does not come to any conclusion, then industrial action is possible from October 17th," explains Clemens Kopetz.