AP reported that ArcelorMittal will indefinitely lay off nearly 1,000 workers at a north western Indiana plant this summer as part of a temporary shutdown of the mill's iron-producing operations.

A letter from the company posted on United Steelworkers Local 1011's Web site said the layoffs would be temporary and for an indefinite period of time. They would be made during a 14-day period starting July 12. The local represents workers at the Indiana Harbor West facility.

United Steelworkers District 7 Director Jim Robinson told The Times of Munster that the company and the union would begin talks to minimize the layoffs.

ArcelorMittal blamed the extraordinary economic environment for its decision to lay off 978 workers in July at the company's Indiana Harbor West mill. It said that although the mill's iron-producing operations will also be suspended indefinitely, another blast furnace at the East Chicago mill will remain in operation.

ArcelorMittal said the layoffs and temporary halt to iron production at the mill along Lake Michigan are part of its move to temporarily cut its global production of steel by 45%. ArcelorMittal said that "This was a difficult decision to make, but the company is being forced to respond to the extraordinary economic environment we are facing.”

The statement said the company hopes that "many of our employees" can be called back to work as soon as market conditions improve.

In November, ArcelorMittal said that as many as 2,444 employees at its nearby Burns Harbor, Ind., facility could be laid off by January. After negotiations, however, the number of people voluntarily laid off was under 500.

(Sourced from Associated Press)