Eastern Airlines management was unimpressed with a...

Eastern Airlines management was unimpressed with a four-year contract offer from its pilots, who claim they are offering $51.5 million a year in cost savings to the airline. Spokesman Robin Matell said Eastern’s calculations found that the pilots’ proposal would increase the airline’s costs by $116 million annually. The pilots contended that the 5% increases in pay, along with stock, they are requesting would be more than offset by money-saving concessions in productivity rules and vacations. The pilots also sought a so-called fence agreement that would keep Eastern an independent entity from Continental Airlines, a non-union carrier also owned by Houston-based Texas Air.