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

DATE: FRIDAY, August 26, 1994                   TAG: 9408260083
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

Employees at the Wheelabrator Abrasives Inc. plant in Bedford have voted by a 4-to-1 ratio to ratify a three-year contract with the French-owned manufacturer of sandblasting grit.

According to Eddie Lowery, spokesman for Local 14440-2 of the United Steel Workers of America, the contract approved Wednesday and affecting 37 workers includes company-paid medical coverage, an increase in the production bonus, a 27-cents-per-hour wage increase in the second year of the agreement, a 28-cent increase in the third year and an additional paid holiday.

- Staff report

Delta expands smoke-free flights

Delta Air Lines said Thursday it will implement a no-smoking policy, effective Jan. 1 on its trans-Atlantic, intra-Europe and New York-Mexico flights. Delta is the first U.S. airline to completely ban smoking on its transatlantic flights.

"We are listening to our customers," said Robert Coggin, senior vice president-marketing. "Air quality is an important issue for our international travelers."

Delta said it surveyed 22,000 passengers on its international flights during April and May. The new policy will not affect Delta's trans-Pacific and intra-Asia flights.

- Staff report

Kellwood reports higher earnings

Kellwood Co., St. Louis maker of apparel, home textiles and camping goods which on Wednesday announced plans to purchase Halmode Apparel Co. of Roanoke, reported net earnings of $10.7 million, or 51 cents per share, for its first quarter ended July 31. That compares with year-earlier earnings of $9.9 million, or 48 cents per share. Sales rose to $300.9 million from year-earlier $298.5 million.

- Staff report