Emery Pilots OK Strike in Bid for 1st Contract

CNF Inc.’s Emery Worldwide pilots authorized a strike against the largest U.S. air-freight company as contract talks stretch into their 27th month. The Air Line Pilots Assn. International said 96% of Emery’s pilots approved a strike. The 483 employees want job protections, better pay and a limit on flight time logged by nonemployee pilots, the union said. Palo Alto-based CNF had 1999 revenue of $5.59 billion, with Emery contributing $2.4 billion. Talks for a first contract generally take more than two years, and the company expects to reach an agreement with the union “in a normal and timely fashion,” said Emery spokesman Rocco Sacci. The union and company began negotiating their first contract in early 1998. CNF shares rose 31 cents to close at $25.38 on the NYSE.