ONE LABOR HAPPY ENDING -- NFL AND ITS OFFICIALS

     A tentative agreement was reached yesterday between the NFL
and its game officials, "averting a strike that was scheduled for
next month."  According to sources familiar with the
negotiations, the executive committee of the officials' new union
voted 10-0 late Wednesday night to agree to a 7-year deal that
will increase game fees 50-90% in the first year.  Minimum yearly
income will be doubled, and in some cases, tripled; payments to
the officials' pension will increase 300%; and for the first
time, game officials will receive a one-time severance payment
equivalent to their salaries in their final year of service
(David Aldridge, WASHINGTON POST, 9/23).