ISU NEWS RELEASE

September 15, 1999

Mark Glyptis to Testify before U.S. Department of Commerce Hearing

Weirton, WV—Mark Glyptis, President of the Independent Steelworkers Union in Weirton, West Virginia, has been invited to testify before a U.S. Department of Commerce hearing, September 22, on the Emergency Steel, Oil, & Gas Loan Guarantee Program.

The public hearing is designed to allow the loan guarantee board to hear comments on the proposed rules and regulations for the $1.5 billion low interest loan program for the domestic steel industry.

Commerce Secretary William Daley along with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and Secretary & Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt, Jr.

"I am very honored to have the opportunity to speak to the panel in Washington, D.C. next week. I believe the loan guarantee program is exactly what the American Steel industry and steelworkers need at this time as we continue the fight against illegal foreign steel imports," Glyptis remarked.

He said he is hopeful Weirton Steel will be able to participate in the loan guarantee program.

"At this point we still have an idled blast furnace and nearly 150 Union members still on lay-off. I hope the Company will use the available monies to get this Company back on track and bring our people back to work," Glyptis said.

"All we have asked for from the beginning of this fight is to have a level playing field and this loan program will allow us to continue the fight against the illegal imports," he added.

Glyptis said the I.S.U. is continuing to review and study pending legislation in the Congress aimed at strengthening steel import laws.

And he was quick to praise West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd for his sponsorship of the Loan Guarantee Program.

"Senator Byrd may very well have saved much of the American Steel Industry because we simply can’t continue the uphill battle without help." Glyptis noted.

The public hearing will take place at the Commerce Department and Glyptis said he is preparing remarks to put a human face on the story.

-30-

Contact: David Gossett

304-748-8080 - Union Hall

304-794-1045 - Pager

740-264-7529 - Residence