TRANSPORTATION

FedEx Pilots Warn of Slowdown: As a cooling-off period draws to a close between Federal Express Corp. and the Air Line Pilots Assn., a union spokesman said work slowdowns could begin soon. The pilots have been negotiating for their first contract with the Memphis, Tenn.-based package hauler since their union won certification in 1993. The union had said there would be no strike. About 250,000 to 300,000 packages per day could be affected if the pilots simply refuse to work overtime during the holiday season, the union spokesman said. The association represents about half the company’s 2,950 pilots, who earn an average of $128,000 a year. A FedEx spokeswoman said she believes fewer than 750 would support any type of action. “We plan to continue operations as usual,” she said. Contract talks stalled in October, and a 30-day cooling-off period was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board. The pilots want pay raises totaling 17% over three years. The company has offered a 4% raise in the first year of a three-year contract.