Employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5668 at the Ravenswood, W.Va., aluminum rolling mill have narrowly rejected an offer by Pechiney Rolled Products, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcan Inc. Terms of the contract, developed in lengthy negotiations, were presented for a ratification vote to USW Local 5668 members on August 26, 2005.

On Saturday, August 27, Local 5668 gave Pechiney Rolled Products a 48-hour notice of its intent to strike. At the time, employees were continuing to work and the plant was operating normally.

Following the strike notice, Pechiney Rolled Products announced it would extend its current labor contract offer to USW Local 5668 until September 3. The company has since received notice from USW Local 5668 that the union would withdraw its 48-hour strike notice. Additionally, the USW Local 5668 has informed Pechiney Rolled Products that the union will call its employees back to vote again on the offer on Friday, September 2.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs almost 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.

The Ravenswood plant is one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in the world and produces high quality aluminum plate, coil and sheet products for the aerospace, aeronautical and transportation industries.