After being closed since January 2010, a union official has confirmed that a Georgetown steel mill will resume work melting steel later this month.

Mr James Sanderson local president of United Steel Workers Union 7893 said that 40 workers will return to work at ArcelorMittal and that the mill is expected to employ between 165 and 170 workers in total.

Mr Sanderson said that January 24th 2011 has been set as a target date to begin melting steel.

In a September 2010 interview, Mr Sanderson said that an improvement in market conditions, arrangements to have raw materials shipped into the Georgetown Port at a better price and labor union concessions are what have allowed the reopening of the mill. He added that "We're really looking forward to get back in there."

The union's agreement included a wage cut of USD 3.65 an hour which is about 10% less than the company's original proposal, which the union rejected by a vote. The new agreement also includes a 40 hour work week instead of the first proposed 24.

The company will also continue paying health care premium costs. The mill employed about 250 people in 2010 when it closed. Last year's closure was one of the longest stoppages in the mill's 40 year history.

(Sourced from www.abcnews4.com)