Warming up of High furnace in forge "U.S. Steel"

Warming up of High furnace No. 2 in Smederevo-based company "U.S. Steel Serbia" commenced today (July 7, 2009). This furnace has not been in operation since September 2008 because of the economic crisis.

According to the announcement, this furnace will be put in operation because of "some unexpected problems" with High furnace No. 1 in unit Košice.

It is specified in the announcement that putting of High furnace No. 2 in operation does not mean that the crisis in the steel market is over and that Forge in Smederevo will now start working normally.

Independent trade union of metal workers of that company announced that warming up would last for about three weeks, and that the furnace would start working at full steam at the end of July and stay that way for about two months.

The workers whose working hours were cut to four days a week because of the difficulties in the global steel market and the economic crisis will be working full time as long as High furnace No. 2 is in operation.

- We expect that the preparations for work of High furnace No. 2 and its short term of operation will require overtime work in order for the job to be finished on time and in secure and quality way - said Mile Gujaničić, the President of the Independent trade union of metal workers in the company.