Exhibit 10.42(a)

                                 THIRD AMENDMENT
                         TO THE UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
                            BENEFITS PROTECTION TRUST


         The UCAR International Inc. Benefits Protections Trust (the "Trust") is
hereby amended as follows:

         1.       Effective  January 1, 1997, the UCAR Carbon Company Inc. shall
assume sponsorship of the Trust.

         2.       The  Trust  shall  be  renamed  the  UCAR  Carbon Company Inc.
Benefits Protection Trust.

         3.       All references in the  Trust  to UCAR International Inc. shall
be changed to UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

         4.       The  amendments  set  forth  herein  shall  be effective as of
January 1, 1997.


Dated:  March 24, 1997                  UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.



                                         By: /s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                             -----------------------------------



                                         UCAR CARBON COMPANY INC.



                                         By: /s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                             -----------------------------------



                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK



                                         By: /s/ Catherine E. Kidder
                                             -----------------------------------