Continental, Pilots To Begin Negotiations

Continental Airlines Inc.’s pilots union and the airline’s management today will begin negotiating a new labor contract that the pilots say must include a big pay increase.

Continental’s pilots took a pay cut to help the airline emerge from bankruptcy in 1993. The pilots union now says its members deserve more money in light of the Houston-based carrier’s record profits. The talks will be held in Houston.

Ned Walker, a Continental spokesman, said the airline hopes to work out an agreement with its pilots before the union’s current contract expires on July 1.

“We’ve made a commitment that our pilots deserve more pay, and we plan to give them more,” Walker said. “We see no reason why we shouldn’t have an agreement before July 1.”