For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 25, 1999 -- In response to queries from the media regarding the status of contract negotiations with the United Steelworkers of America, Bethlehem Steel Corporation issued the following statement: "Bethlehem Steel Corporation and the United Steelworkers of America have reached a tentative agreement on a new, long-term, five-year labor agreement. The parties have negotiated very responsibly, and have reached a contract that we believe is fair and competitive and that is in the interests of our employees, customers, stockholders, and Bethlehem. We will defer any comments about the details of the agreement until the ratification process is completed.

"Bethlehem, the U.S. Steel Group of USX and the United Steelworkers agreed in early May to bargain jointly in an effort to reach an early agreement. When ratified, the new contracts will succeed the current Bethlehem and U.S. Steel Agreements that expire July 31, 1999.

"We have been working closely with the United Steelworkers, U.S. Steel, other leading steel companies, and others, to respond to the serious injury being caused by unprecedented levels of unfairly traded imports. The crisis continues, and we will be further intensifying our efforts to restore fair trade in steel. Under these circumstances, it was particularly important that we reach an early labor agreement."