“This action is a result of the continued weak tubular market conditions which are impacting demand for the plant’s products,” the company wrote in its WARN Act notification to the state.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, 679 people are affected by the decision.  The layoffs would begin in March and continue through May, the company said in its notification. U. S. Steel spokeswoman Jessica Franklin said the layoffs would be temporary, if they occur.

The Lone Star plant makes electric resistance welded pipe and specialty tubular products for the energy industry. The company in April 2015 gave notice that it would dismiss 579 people.  

Karl Stoermer, mayor of Lone Star, Texas, said he’s worried the company will idle the plant, given the number of people who already have been laid off and who could be let go in this latest round of cuts.

“I don’t even see a maintenance force to keep (the plant) maintained,” he told the Houston Chronicle’s Fuelfix blog, which first reported the story.

“We hope it’s something short of shuttering the whole plant,” Stoermer said.