U.S. Steel had started a partial shutdown of its largest taconite plant at the beginning of June. Approximately 400 people were laid off, and the remaining workers were on a 32-hour week schedule.

About 70 maintenance folks have just returned to the plant. Which leaves about 300 who are still on layoff.

"I feel confident people will be back to work, and families will be getting needed paychecks as we roll into back to school time," Metsa added.

U.S. Steel's other facility, Keetac, remains in idle mode with about half of their workforce on layoff. Union leaders from there are hopeful they get call back notices soon as well.