It is reported that ArcelorMittal Georgetown steelworkers union hasn't agreed to pay cuts or other concessions in their benefits as ArcelorMittal plans to shut down July 12th 2009, despite meetings this week with the company.

As per report, union members met with company leaders at Georgetown High School to talk about the future of the mill and possible concessions. The employees of the local ArcelorMittal plant will receive their sub pay and benefits agreed on in the union contract this spring.

Mr James Sanderson head of Steelworkers Union Local 7898 said that "We feel the plant will be idle on July 12th 2009, as we were told last night." He added that union members did not agree to USD 3.25 an hour pay cuts because there was no guarantee that the plant would reopen. Poor market conditions led to the closure of the Georgetown plant, and that confidence in the economy will have to return before production can return to normal levels.

Meanwhile, Mr Tom Danjczek president of Steel Manufacturers Association said that "The tone of the meetings among the world steel industry is that things are picking up a little bit. Clearly in the US and Europe, we've suffered twice as badly as the rest of the world. Our production is off 50%."

(Sourced from www.thesunnews.com)