News from the United Steelworkers of America: RTI Investors Could Be Hit With Holiday Blues; Investor Alert Warns That RTI Mismanagement Could Threaten Profit Rebound.

PITTSBURGH -- News from the United Steelworkers of America:

'Tis the season for RTI International Metals investors to be concerned, according to the debut issue of a financial newsletter published by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). In RTI Investor Alert, shareholders are warned not to be fooled by RTI's "spin doctors" who consistently downplay the impact of its 13-month lockout of 365 unionized employees at its RMI titanium plant in Niles, Ohio.

The Investor Alert claims the labor dispute "weakens RTI's ability to capitalize on an improving titanium market." The newsletter cites independent analysts who have begun to raise questions about RTI's ability to respond to these opportunities. According to Longbow Research analyst Christopher Olin, "The current employee lock-out has limited the company's abilities to ramp up RMI production levels and capitalize from favorable market trends." Olin also argues that the labor dispute is creating uncertainty and dragging RTI's share price down to $1- $2 dollars (NYSE:RTI).

USWA leaders say despite RMI management's claim that the Niles plant is operating smoothly, the fact remains that RTI posted a loss of $2.2 million during the third quarter of 2004, with reduced operations at the Niles plant accounting for $1.4 million of the shortfall. Furthermore, RTI president and CEO Timothy Rupert was recently forced to backtrack on his claim that RTI would achieve nearly 50% capacity utilization at the titanium plant in Niles by the end of 2004.

The Investor Alert says RTI's debilitating lockout has now put the company at a clear competitive disadvantage: "For instance, while RTI has not responded to union efforts to restart negotiations, Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) has expressed a desire to quickly achieve new labor agreements with unions representing its employees in Ohio and Nevada...so that it is in a better position to compete for customers."

Meanwhile, Investor Alert points out that RTI has shattered its credibility to continue demanding deep concessions from unionized employees at its Niles plant. By boosting CEO Rupert's retirement compensation by an additional $96,255 and raising the retainer payments to its Board of Directors by $205,000 annually, union leaders say the company has exposed the real issue prolonging the lockout. "It's about gross mismanagement, putting greed before good business at the expense of shareholders, employees and the community," said USWA Local 2155 President Todd Weddell.

The union also said key political leaders are weighing in on the RTI lockout. Members of the Ohio delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to the RTI Board of Directors, asking the company to return to the bargaining table and resolve the issues blocking a contract settlement.

To read the full text of Investor Alert, please click on http://tinyurl.com/5wk85