FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:        August 3, 2000
Contact:    Dave Gossett
(304) 748-8080, Union Hall; (304)794-1045, Pager; (740)264-7529, Residence, Fax: (304) 748-8158

Tin Plate Trade Case Ruling

Weirton, West Virginia--The Independent Steelworkers Union this afternoon applauded a 4-2 decision by the International Trade Commission in determining Japanese tin plate producers had illegally dumped their product into the United States.

The ITC issued the ruling earlier this afternoon confirming a preliminary ruling in June that had set final duties on Japanese tin plate products in excess of 95%.

"This is a very important decision by the ITC today because it will have long lasting ramifications on our tin plate business as well as tin plate producers across the country," according to Mark Glyptis, President of the Independent Steelworkers Union.

Glyptis said the trade suit, originally filed by the I.S.U., United Steelworkers of America, and Weirton Steel Corporation was a gamble because of the adverse effect exhibited by a number of tin plate customers.

"I can't tell you how relieved we all are by this ruling because the government is finally doing something about the illegal foreign steel imports flooding into this country," Glyptis commented.

Glyptis was very complimentary to the members of Congress who testified at the ITC hearing last June, including, U.S. Senators Robert C. Byrd, John D. Rockefeller, both of West Virginia, U.S. Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio; Congressman Alan B. Mollohan of West Virginia, Congressman Bob Ney of Ohio, and Congressman Frank R. Mascara of Pennsylvania.

"These members of Congress as well as many other legislative leaders have stood tall for us in our fight to save our domestic steel industry and we will remember you," Glyptis said.

During his testimony in June, Glyptis had appealed to the ITC Board for a chance at survival. He said today's ruling gives Weirton Steel union workers another chance at showing the world we are the most efficient steelworkers, bar none.

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