American Offers Pilots Pay Raise

AMR Corp.’s American Airlines offered its pilots an immediate 15% to 22% pay raise, and the pilots union demanded improved work and safety rules in opening proposals Tuesday for a new labor contract.

Both the world’s largest airline and the Allied Pilots Assn., which represents American’s 11,500 pilots, said they wanted to speed up the often tortuous process of reaching a deal. The contract runs through Aug. 31.

American’s pay offer appeared to be in line with union demands to match the salary levels in the pilots contract at Delta Air Lines, which set an industry standard.

The pilots’ proposal includes a target of “industry-leading rates of pay” but no firm numbers.

The union and American stressed they did not want lengthy talks.