Continental Pilots to Seek Pay Hike

Continental Airlines Inc.’s pilots union said it will ask for big pay raises in contract talks, making Continental the latest major airline facing intense labor negotiations with pilots who say they are underpaid. AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and USAir Group Inc.’s USAir also are coping with pilot demands for better wages. American Airlines pilots say they could strike over the issue as early as Feb. 15. Continental and its pilots begin negotiating a new contract April 1. Continental’s pilots say they deserve more money in light of the carrier’s record profits. The airline said its fourth-quarter profit rose 15%. Its union says Continental’s pilots make about 35% less than the industry average. The pilots took a pay cut to help the airline emerge from bankruptcy in 1993. Shares of Continental fell 87.5 cents to close at $28.25 on the NYSE.