LOT pilots may strike today if pay demands aren't met

Pilots with LOT Polish Airlines say they will stage a two-hour strike today if they fail to reach an agreement with the company's management on their demand for higher pay. If it goes ahead, the strike will begin at 7am and end at 9am. According to a union representative, LOT pilots earn on average just $25,000 a year, compared to a figure worldwide of $150,000. Unions representing the LOT pilots began negotiations on a 90% pay rise several weeks ago. Talks held on Saturday ended with no progress reported, although the two sides did agree to meet again late yesterday. According to LOT spokesman Leszek Chorzewski, if the strike goes ahead, the company is prepared to reschedule to later flights the estimated 500 to 600 passengers affected, or transfer them to other airlines. LOT promises that none of its transatlantic flights will be cancelled. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June16-17, p. 26, Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) J.K.