News from USW: Unions to Sponsor Day of Global Solidarity; Workers in Three Countries to Protest Grupo Mexico's Labor Policies.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The United Steelworkers (USW), the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of Mexico (STMMRM) and the Federation of Workers of the Mining and Metal Industries of Peru (FETIMAP) today announced plans to make Tuesday, June 21, 2005 a day of worldwide union solidarity at locations in North, Central and South America where Grupo Mexico operates mines.

The Day of Global Solidarity is part of an ongoing effort by the three unions to more effectively work together toward improving working conditions for workers in all three countries. All three Unions are also taking part in a worker exchange, where union members from each location will participate in activities at the other locations.

In the U.S., workers and supporters will rally and march in Tucson protest the way Grupo's subsidiary, ASARCO, has demanded drastic cuts from workers and retirees, violated labor law and thus far has refused to bargain fair and equitable contracts with the USW for its members in several locations.

"Despite high copper prices, ASARCO is demanding a wage freeze, a reduction in pension benefits for current employees, no pension benefits for new hires, reduced health insurance benefits and other concessions," said USW District 12 Director Terry Bonds. "These demands are unwarranted, no matter where Grupo makes them."

Similarly, Grupo is facing labor strife in Mexico, where STMMRM members are fed up with the mining giant interfering in Union affairs and trying to promote non-STMMRM affiliated "company" unions.

"We have made this company highly profitable," said STMMRM President Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, "and Grupo has repaid us by trying to undermine our purpose."

Finally, at Southern Peru Copper Corporation, another Grupo Subsidiary, workers are standing up for better job security, better healthcare and an end to discrimination against FETIMAP members.

"We're challenging Southern Peru Copper and Grupo to live up to their claimed values and start showing our members respect," said FETIMAP National General Secretary Pedro Montesinos.

In Mexico and Peru, union members will also carry-out solidarity actions at their plants, wearing stickers and distributing flyers as part of the Day of Solidarity.

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WHO: Steelworkers employed by Grupo Mexico's ASARCO subsidiary; union
    allies from Grupo Mexico operations in Peru and Mexico; other
    labor leaders; political and religious leaders

WHAT: Rally and March as part of a Day of Global Union Solidarity at
    Grupo Mexico operations in the U.S., Mexico and Peru

WHEN: 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2005

WHERE: De Anza Park 1000 N. Stone, Tucson, AZ. (S.E. corner of
    Speedway & Stone)

SPEAKERS: Terry Bonds, Dist. 12 Director, USW; Manny Armenta, District
    12 Sub-Dist 2 Director, USW; Michael McGraff, Arizona AFL-CIO
    President; Steve Leal, Councilman; a representative from
    Congressman Grijalva's office; other labor, political and
    religious leaders