
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 5, 1995                   TAG: 9505050082
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

UNION WANTS ITT TO RAISE PENSIONS

The union representing workers at ITT Corp.'s Electro-Optical Products Division in Roanoke County wants former employees to get a raise - in their pension checks.

The company and the International Union of Electronic Workers began Wednesday to negotiate a contract for 408 hourly workers to replace the pact that expires June 16.

"Retirement is going to be a major issue, even down to a strike issue," said Mitchell Adams, president of IUEW Local 162.

Adams said between 25 and 40 former employees are drawing ITT pensions and are due for an increase. The union also will raise issues of insurance, seniority and job transfers, he said.

Don Hershey, human resources director at ITT in Roanoke, confirmed that talks have begun but declined to comment. New York-based ITT makes night-vision devices and operates a research center in Roanoke County.

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB