LABOR

Arbitrators End 3-Year Labor Dispute at Airline: The binding decision gives Assn. of Professional Flight Attendants members higher pay raises than Ft. Worth-based American Airlines Inc. had wanted. But the carrier can make staffing changes that allow it to use fewer workers on some flights. The pay raises average 17% over the six-year life of the contract, retroactive to 1993. American had instituted an increase of 8.5% over four years, which led to a five-day strike over the 1993 Thanksgiving holiday. Arbitrators did not grant a 4% signing bonus and did not rule on scheduling issues, ordering the two sides to form a study committee.