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For Immediate Release             August 9, 2005

TAMPA, Fla. — The leaders of two of the largest metalworkers’ unions in Brazil today called on Brazilian steel-making giant Gerdau S.A. and its Tampa-based subsidiary, Gerdau Ameristeel (NYSE:GNA; TSX: GNA.TO), to end the company’s illegal lockout of North American Steelworkers in Beaumont, Texas.

“We call on Gerdau to immediately end its unfair lockout of United Steelworkers Local 8586 in Beaumont, put the membership back to work, and negotiate a fair agreement,” said Fernando Lopes, Secretary-General of CNM/CUT, the National Metalworkers’ Confederation of Brazil, and Nair Goulart, International Relations Secretary of CNTM, the National Confederation of Steelworkers – Força Sindical.

Lopes and Goulart, along with Steelworkers from Beaumont and representatives from USW headquarters in Pittsburgh, addressed a rally outside the company’s Tampa headquarters before entering the building to present management with petitions from Gerdau’s North American work force.

Addressed to Gerdau Ameristeel CEO Phillip E. Casey, the petitions said: “Medical benefits, workers compensation, retirement” and other workers’ benefits are not a “burden.” Violating federal law to lower labor standards is not the way to compete in a global economy. It’s time to end the illegal lockout in Beaumont and start bargaining in good faith.”

The group also distributed flyers contrasting “Record profits for Tampa executives” with “pay cuts and an illegal lockout for Texas Steelworkers.”

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Contacts: Mike Zielinski - (240) 475-9845

John Duray – (412) 562-2592