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Steelworkers Confront ING Group Over Its Inaction To End Strike

For Immediate Release                                      September 6, 2006

Wilmington, Delaware—United Steelworkers (USW) strikers from National Wire Fabric (NWF) confronted the Dutch banking giant, ING Group, today at the headquarters of its US internet banking operations in Wilmington, Delaware to demand that the bank use its influence to seek an end to the 13-month long strike at the NWF facility in Star City, Arkansas.

NWF is a subsidiary of Gamma Holding NV, a Dutch conglomerate. ING Group is the single largest shareholder (26.19%) of Gamma Holding.

“We would like ING to recognize that this strike was a needless work stoppage and could have been prevented if NWF had bargained fairly with us,” said Local 1671 Vice-President Dan Morrison. “We’re seeking the bank’s support to help end this conflict and get all of us back to work.”

Since its acquisition by Gamma Holding in 2001, NWF has adopted a confrontational labor strategy.  As a result, members of USW Local 1671 have been on strike at NWF's Star City, Arkansas facility since July 23, 2005.  It is the longest strike in the history of Arkansas.