United Airlines pilots are refusing to fly...

United Airlines pilots are refusing to fly Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets due for delivery next month until a new contract covering wages and working conditions for 747-400 cockpit crews is negotiated, forcing the airline to delay start-up of service for the new planes . . . The SEC approved new rules for offerings of municipal securities that require underwriters to obtain more data concerning the securities . . . Avon Products called off a deal to sell the health-care units of its Mediplex Group, partly because the buyer appeared unable to get financing.