UPS plans to furlough as many as 300 pilots in order to cut costs.  The shipping company is continuing negotiations with its pilots union, Independent Pilots Association, to perhaps avoid the layoffs. UPS avoided pilot furloughs in 2009 by finding other cost saving measures, but such actions are proving more difficult this year.

The furloughs would come in phases with the first 170 pilots set to receive notices in May.

 “Even though the economy has begun to turn around, UPS anticipates a very gradual recovery and a continued need for belt-tightening,” said UPS Airlines President Bob Lekites in a news release. “This is a painful decision for our people, but one that is right for the on-going health of our business.”

Last month, UPS announced it was cutting 1,800 management and administrative jobs in its U.S. small package division.