August 20, 2002

Bill Mede
Owens & Turner
[By Facsimile]

            Re:        Your Letter of August 7, 2002

Dear Mr Mede:

        We found your recent letter of August 7, 2002, both confusing and amusing.

        As you know, the Alaska Laborers last informed Nabors Inc. to contact us for further negoiations when Nabors was willing to offer the Roughneck employees more than zero. The Roughnecks through their union have asked for the Alaska Laborers retirement and health insurance plan, and a modest wage increase.

        Unfortunately Nabors management has refused to provide the Roughnecks anything in this regard. Nabors' unwillingness to meet the employees' request has been documented at the bargaining table and even in Nabors' statements to the Alaska press.

        Worse, Nabors has just refused to meet with the Alaska Department of Labor to mediate the dispute with an objective party. What is Nabors afraid of?

        Therefore, your letter offering to meet directly contradicts Nabors' refusal to meet with an objective third-party and with Nabors' statements in the Anchorage Daily News. Nabors cannot honestly make two conflicting statements at once.

        We remain committed to meeting with Nabors at any time when Nabors will fairly respond to the employee's requests. Please keep us informed when Nabors is willing to do so.

        Thank you.

        Sincerely                                            Sincerely,

        Joe Thomas                                        Kevin Dougherty

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