Continental Pilots Seek Early Contract Talks

Continental Airlines Inc. pilots said they asked the fifth-largest U.S. airline to begin contract negotiations in May, more than a year early, because of recent pay increases won by pilots at other carriers. The Independent Assn. of Continental Pilots, which represents 6,500 Continental and Continental Express commuter pilots, made the request in a letter to the company’s chairman and chief executive, Gordon Bethune. The current contract terms run through October 2002 and do not call for talks to start until July 2002. The Continental pilots’ request follows pay raises of 21.5% to 28.5% won by pilots at UAL Corp.’s United Airlines last month as part of a four-year contract that also includes annual increases of at least 4%. Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots have said they are seeking to top those gains in their current contract talks. Houston-based Continental had no immediate comment. To catch up with counterparts at United and Delta, the Continental union will seek pay hikes of 30% to 40%, said Pat Burke, the union’s president. Continental shares fell 63 cents to close at $48.06 on the NYSE.