LWSNTXN Node padding with '+++'

I have a process flow that is running a SQL query and the output from that query is the run group out of GLTRANSREL.  I update the run group in my GL165 job through the LWSNTXN node, using that run group, and then the job is submitted via the WebRun Node.  But when I update the job using the output from the query (which is in a string) - the run group in the job parameters is being padded to the right with "+++" instead of spaces so GL165 ends up not finding the run group.  I've tried everything I can think of to force it to be spaces and I'm having no luck.  The only place the "+++" shows is in the job parameters - no where else.  Any thoughts?  Anyone else come across this?  Thanks in advance - Laura