It is reported that the union work force at ArcelorMittal's Cleveland steel mill has grown to about 930 since the company fired up a furnace last week.

Mr Mark Granakis president of United Steelworkers of America Local 979 said that increasing flat rolled steel orders at the plant and the return to operation of another furnace is likely to mean a further increase, to about 1,000 workers, by mid October 2009.

He added that "These workers are on full 8 hour shifts, and the increase is mainly because demand for our steel is finally improving as the economy improves."

According to Mr Granakis, shipments of steel products from the Cleveland plant haven't grown so much that the entire operation is back to full speed, though. Finishing lines still are not operating, as they were a year ago. And about 300 Steelworkers will remain idled even after the second furnace lights up next month.

He added that "We won't be happy until everybody's back to work."

About 1,300 union workers were employed there during most of 2008.

(Sourced from www.cleveland.com)