Collins & Aikman and UAW Announce Neutrality Agreement

TROY, Mich., Oct. 15, 2003 -- Collins & Aikman Corporation announced today that it has reached an agreement to form a partnership with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) in which both parties have pledged renewed energies and commitment to increase productivity, efficiency, long-term job security, and quality of operations that will maximize the competitive capability of the Company. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, Vice President and director, UAW Competitive Shops/Independents, Parts and Suppliers Department, Bob King and Collins & Aikman Chairman & Chief Executive Officer David A. Stockman made the announcement at a joint press conference from "Solidarity House," the headquarters office of the UAW in Detroit, Michigan.

Commenting on the agreement, David A. Stockman said "We are extremely optimistic that this partnership with the UAW will assist us in both maintaining our current business and in achieving new business with our domestic OEM customers, which would be beneficial to Collins & Aikman, its employees and the UAW."

The UAW currently represents Collins & Aikman employees at its plants in Evart, Sterling Heights, Westland and Adrian, Michigan, Morristown, Indiana and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These plants provide bumpers, interior plastic components and convertible tops primarily for the Chrysler Group.

Collins & Aikman and the UAW recognize that dramatic changes in the domestic automotive market have created new quality, productivity, and competitiveness challenges for automotive component suppliers. Both parties believe these challenges will be more effectively met through a positive, non-adversarial partnership. The Company and the Union also recognize the significant contribution of the skills and loyalty of the workforce to Collins & Aikman's success and the importance of the investment Collins & Aikman places in the skills of its workers. Each recognizes the significant role that the other must play in the continued success of the Company.

An employee's freedom to choose remains a paramount concern of the Company as well as the UAW. The agreement recognizes that membership in a union is a matter of personal choice and acknowledges that if a majority of employees wish to be represented by a union, Collins & Aikman will recognize that choice. If a Collins & Aikman employee chooses to be or not to be represented by the UAW, there will be no reprisals by the UAW or the Company due to their choice.

Collins & Aikman Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global leader in cockpit modules and automotive floor and acoustic systems and a leading supplier of instrument panels, automotive fabric, plastic-based trim and convertible top systems. The company's operations span the globe through 15 countries, more than 100 facilities and over 25,000 employees who are committed to achieving total excellence. Collins & Aikman's high-quality products combine superior design, styling and manufacturing capabilities with NVH "quiet" technologies that are among the most effective in the industry. Information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at www.collinsaikman.com .