Media

(WARREN, OHIO) June 6, 2006 – Operations at WCI Steel, Inc. were purposefully idled for up to three hours today as part of the implementation of the company’s new work systems so that plant-wide safety discussions could be conducted to ensure that all employees are following safe working procedures.

In an unprecedented move, every production unit in the plant was idled in a controlled manner this morning as union-management safety teams in each department reviewed safety rules and listened to employees’ safety concerns.

“Employee safety has been and always will be our number one core value at WCI,” said Patrick G. Tatom, WCI president and chief executive officer.  “Although some employees may be working new or restructured jobs, safety will never be compromised. Any unsafe work practice will not be tolerated.”

As part of the safety review, all employees were told that if they discover an unsafe practice or working condition, work is not to proceed until the issue is corrected. Every effort is and will be made to resolve safety concerns, Tatom said.

The new labor agreement with United Steelworkers of America Local 1375 effective May 1 provides the framework for new work systems that reduce job classifications and call for workers in every department to take on added responsibilities.
 
WCI’s safety policies require that before performing any job, all employees must receive sufficient training and review all Job Safety Analyses and Standard Operating Procedures applicable to their duties. In addition, managers must document that the employees have shown that they understand the JSAs and SOPs and, furthermore, that the employees have demonstrated that they are carefully following safe procedures completely.

“We realize change is difficult, but all hourly and salaried employees at WCI must make safety - for themselves and their co-workers – their top priority,” Tatom said. “We are committed to implementing the new work systems but not at the expense of personal safety. Each worker must realize safe work practices must be followed.”

WCI is an integrated steelmaker producing more than 185 grades of custom and commodity flat-rolled steel at its Warren, Ohio facility. WCI products are used by steel service centers, convertors and the automotive and construction markets. The company has nearly 1,600 employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "foresee" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements; however, this press release also contains other forward-looking statements. WCI cautions that there are various important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated events will occur. Among such factors are: general economic and business conditions; demand for WCIÕs products; changes in industry capacity and levels of imports of steel or steel products; effectiveness of the remedies under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974; the ability to maintain sufficient liquidity during the restructuring process; the status of any on-going restructuring discussions or negotiations; industry trends, including product pricing, competition; currency fluctuations; the loss of any significant customers; availability of qualified personnel; major equipment failures; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, government regulation, including, without limitation, environmental regulations; the outcome of legal matters and the risk factors detailed from time to time in WCI's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, WCI does not undertake to update them in any manner except as may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under federal laws.

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