Updated at: 10/20/2009 8:50 AM
By: Renee Passal

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KeeTac Restart Delayed

Disappointing news for Keewatin Taconite employees. The much anticipated restart has been postponed, due to a softening of the steel market here in 4Q.

KeeTac was idled last December. About 400 Steelworkers have been out of work for 10 months now. Those with less than 10 years on the job will lose benefits and supplemental pay if the shutdown hits the year mark.

Steelworkers had been gearing up for the restart since last month. About 100 people have been on the property, getting the equipment ready.

Now they're hearing they will be winterizing the plant instead, which is the expensive process of preparing the machinery to be idle in the winter.

U.S. Steel said they do not comment on their operations.