Alcan Global ATI is pleased with the ratification vote of a New Collective
Bargaining Agreement at Ravenswood plant

PARIS, France, July 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Global Aerospace Transportation and Industry (Alcan Global ATI), part of Alcan Engineered Products - a business unit of Rio Tinto - announced today that employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5668 at its aluminum rolling mill in Ravenswood, West Virginia, have ratified a new two-year agreement. The Company continued to operate throughout the negotiations and contract extensions, and looks forward to implementing the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"I am very pleased with the outcome of the ratification vote. It is a clear demonstration that all parties are determined to work together in a constructive way to shape the future of the Ravenswood plant. This new agreement balances the interest of the employees and the necessary competitive improvements in a challenging economic environment" said Christophe Villemin, Alcan Global ATI President.

Despite the plant's difficult financial situation for the last few years, the new agreement preserves employees' health care coverage, and provides for a higher contribution to the employees' pension plan over the new agreement's period.

Key contract changes will make the plant more efficient through work reorganization with an even greater emphasis on safety, reliability and quality.

"It's now time for Ravenswood to re-focus on business and operational excellence, thus securing the plant's position in the marketplace as a preferred supplier of aluminum products for Aerospace and Defense as well as other important markets", concluded Christophe Villemin.

The new two-year contract covers 700 unionized hourly employees at the Ravenswood facility.

About Alcan Global ATI

Alcan Global ATI employs approximately 3 500 people and has manufacturing plants in Europe and North America. A world leader in the production of aerospace plates, Alcan Global ATI provides its customers with its entire portfolio of advanced lightweight aluminium solutions. Thanks to its global R&D, manufacturing and commercial reach, Alcan Global ATI is able to build long-term supply and innovative technology partnerships with major aerospace leaders.

About Alcan Engineered Products

Alcan Engineered Products is a global sector-leader strongly committed to developing innovative, value added aluminum products for a broad range of civil and defense markets and applications, including aerospace, mass transportation, automotive, packaging, energy and building. With around 11 000 employees located in 27 countries and a commercial presence in more than 60 markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, Alcan Engineered Products is organized around businesses dedicated to performance materials in the areas of aluminum rolled products, extrusions and automotive structures, aluminum cable and international trade. Alcan Engineered Products is headquartered in Paris, France.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminum, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada: Bryan Tucker, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Ravenswood Communications, US: Morrie Newell, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Alcan Global ATI: Laura Berneri, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Website: www.riotintoalcan.com