PENSION BENEFITS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

PENSION BENEFITS [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	1,898		$	1,863		$	6,062		$	5,587
Interest cost		2,214			1,919			6,270			5,757
Expected return on assets		(3,745	)		(3,508	)		(11,171	)		(10,524	)
Amortization of unrecognized transition amount		4			5			14			13
Recognized prior service cost		52			85			152			255
Recognized net loss		891			555			2,047			1,663
Net periodic benefit costs	$	1,314		$	919		$	3,374		$	2,751