ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996                TAG: 9604230098
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-8  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER

2ND NS BUYOUT OFFERED 205 ROANOKE CLERKS ELIGIBLE

Norfolk Southern Corp. said Monday it has offered another voluntary job-buyout program to clerical workers in the Roanoke area.

Employees in the accounting and information technology departments and the mailroom who went to work for the railroad before July 1, 1991, are eligible for the buyout, NS spokesman Bob Auman said.

The clerical workers, commonly referred to by the company as clerks, are represented by the Transportation Communications Union. Officials of the union could not be reached Monday for comment.

The offer is in effect from last Friday through May 3. Those who accept it will receive a lump-sum payment of $35,000, less taxes and any other required deductions.

Of the 205 workers eligible for the program, 60 are 55 years old or older, Auman said. Those workers will be eligible for continued medical coverage through age 65 either through the Railroad Retirement Board or company medical plans.

The company has retained the right to decline applications for the buyout from any workers whose departure it believes would hurt the efficiency of NS operations.

NS offered a similar buyout program to 450 clerks last fall. That offer was accepted by 45 employees and included medical coverage for workers and dependents who were 60 or older.

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