EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 26, 2017

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Schedule of elements of retirement expense

	Three Months Ended
	March 26,		March 27,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Pension plans:
Service Cost	$	—	$	—
Interest Cost		21,367		22,167
Expected return on plan assets		(22,392)		(22,407)
Actuarial loss		5,084		4,596
Net pension expense		4,059		4,356
Net post-retirement benefit credit		(732)		(662)
Net retirement benefit expenses	$	3,327	$	3,694