Exhibit 99.1
For Information: Scott Lamb
Telephone: (713) 267-3826
May 14, 2002
KAISER ALUMINUM TO APPEAL RULING BY NLRB ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
HOUSTON, Texas, May 14, 2002 - Kaiser Aluminum said today that it intends to
appeal an unfavorable ruling by a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
administrative law judge.
The ruling came in a case in which the United Steelworkers of America had
charged the company with unfair labor practices in connection with a two-year
labor dispute that ended in 2000. The ruling was issued May 10, 2002, and was
communicated to the company today. In 2000, the NLRB had dismissed 22 of 24
original charges of unfair labor practice that the union had brought against the
company.
The ruling is not self-enforcing and, because it is subject to appeal, does not
require that the company take steps to pay back wages to affected employees. The
company would only be subject to such a requirement if the ruling were to be
definitively upheld after all appeals were exhausted, a process that could take
several years.
"We disagree with the decision of the judge and look forward to vigorous
pursuit of an appeal," said Jack A. Hockema, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Kaiser Aluminum. "We remain confident that our position will
ultimately be upheld."
The company plans to appeal the ruling to the full NLRB. Any decision by the
full Board would then be subject to additional appeal to the Federal court of
appeals.
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (OTCBB: KLUCQ) is a leading producer of alumina,
primary aluminum, and fabricated aluminum products.
F-926
Company press releases may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. The company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those expressed
or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
