Eastern Orders 20% Pay Cut

Eastern Airlines said today it will cut the salaries of 17,000 non-contract and management workers by 20% on Feb. 1 as part of its plan to trim $250 million from labor costs this year.

The nation’s fourth largest carrier also told employees it will make other widespread work rule changes so that some employees work more hours per week, and also will revise their insurance plan effective March 1. The announcement came four days after similar cuts were announced for the company’s 7,000 flight attendants. Eastern also plans to lay off 1,010 attendants Feb. 4.