AIRLINES

USAir Give-Backs Proposed: The pilots and machinists unions proposed wage cuts and contract give-backs to USAir aimed at helping the nation’s sixth-largest carrier beat back a swarm of low-fare challengers in its stronghold in the East. The Assn. of Flight Attendants did not participate in drafting the proposal. USAir Group Inc. has 45,000 employees. The Arlington, Va.-based airline said it plans to meet with representatives of the three-union labor coalition during the coming week to discuss the proposals. After piling up $2.5 billion in losses since 1988, its last profitable year, USAir reported a loss of $685 million for 1994. The airline says it must slash labor costs by $500 million a year to stay aloft.