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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 18, 1995                   TAG: 9506200064
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ELECTRONIC WORKERS OK CONTRACT AT ITT

The International Union of Electronic Workers Local 162 voted Saturday to approve a replacement contract that will increase future pensions and current wages for its members at ITT Electro-Optical Products Division in Roanoke County.

Donald Hershey, vice president and director of human resources for ITT, said the increased pension payments will not affect current retirees, but it is the biggest increase he has seen. Monthly pension payments will increase from $14 or $16 per year of service to $20 for future retirees.

Wages also will increase under the four-year contract, Hershey said.

A $1,000 ``ratification bonus'' will be paid this month and a $300 lump-sum payment in December. A general wage increase of 3 percent will be made in the second, third and fourth years of the contract, he said.

The company also agreed to change insurance companies for health and dental coverage at the union's request.

Hershey said the vote to accept the contract was not unanimous, but was ``very strong.''

The contract affects 413 workers.

No one from the union could be reached for comment Saturday evening.

New York-based ITT makes night-vision devices and operates a research center in Roanoke County.

by CNB