It's Time for both Steelworkers and Vale Inco to Say 'No Pre-Conditions' and Go Back to Bargaining Now

SUDBURY, Ontario, December 17 - Documents released today confirm Vale Inco's ongoing rejection of United
Steelworkers' invitation to resume negotiations without pre-conditions.

(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO)

The USW released direct correspondence with Vale Inco categorically
demonstrating the union's commitment to return to bargaining without
preconditions and to explore new ways to resolve the dispute.

In contrast, a reply from Vale Inco reaffirms the company's position that
it will not return to the bargaining table without its preconditions of
imposing concessions on workers and their communities.

"There has been a lot of finger-pointing, accusations and misinformation
lately about who is truly committed to resolving this strike," said Wayne
Fraser, the Steelworkers District Director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

"These letters clearly show that we are ready and willing to kick-start
negotiations and work with Vale to resolve our differences and ultimately
reach an agreement that benefits workers, the company and the community,"
Fraser said.

The initial letter from Fraser was sent last week to Vale Inco President
and Chief Executive Officer Tito Martins, extending an olive branch to the
company and reiterating the union's willingness for renewed, open-minded
bargaining.

The USW letter also expresses the union's disappointment with the
company's ongoing position of no negotiations "until the Union was willing to
concede to Vale's concessions."

"The Union does not underestimate the enormity of the challenge that is
facing us; however, the only way to move forward is for the parties to get
back to the bargaining table and negotiate an agreement," Fraser told Vale's
Martins.

"We have a joint responsibility to Vale's employees, our members and our
communities. Therefore, once again I request that Vale reconsider its
position and return to the bargaining table so that we, hopefully, can
explore a way forward."

The USW's letter also has been sent to Ontario Ministry of Labour
Mediator Greg Long.

The Vale response states that, before negotiations can resume, the
company "requires" the union to "accept fundamental changes" in pensions,
bonuses and workplace rights.

"There can be no doubt about who is impeding a return to good-faith
bargaining and an eventual end to this strike," said John Fera, President of
USW Local 6500, which represents more than 3,000 striking workers in Sudbury.

"It's plain for everyone to see now," Fera said. "We are ready and
willing to get back to the table, unconditionally, to explore options that
could result in solutions. It's time for Vale Inco to show the same good
faith, drop their posturing, stop dictating and start negotiating."

"Until Vale demonstrates a sincere desire to find a resolution to this
strike, it only reinforces the views held in Canada and in countries around
the world that it is attempting to impose an agenda that is damaging to
working people and their communities," said USW International President Leo
Gerard.

"Until Vale decides to treat them with respect, our Canadian working
families and communities can count on the continued support of the USW and
its many allies locally, nationally and from the global labour movement,"
Gerard said.

To view both the USW and the Vale Inco letters, visit FairDealNow.ca.

    Contacts:
    John Fera, USW Local 6500, +1-705-675-3381x238 / jfera@uswsudbury.ca /
    Wayne Fraser, USW District 6 Director, +1-416-577-4045 / wfraser@usw.ca /
    Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, +1-416-544-5966 / +1-416-434-2221 /
    bgallagher@usw.ca /

John Fera, USW Local 6500, +1-705-675-3381×238, jfera at uswsudbury.ca; Wayne Fraser, USW District 6 Director, +1-416-577-4045, wfraser at usw.ca; Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, +1-416-544-5966 or +1-416-434-2221, bgallagher at usw.ca