Workers are beginning to be called back at United States Steel’s plant at Lone Star, the president of the United Steelworkers of America Union Local No. 4134 said.

Donnie Qualls said Thursday that the numbers have not been finalized, but that some are being sent for physicals and some are being recalled without physicals.

“If you are laid off beyond a certain period of time, it is required that you take a physical,” Qualls said. “If you are laid off for a shorter period of time, you don’t have to take a physical.”

He said the callback “is a positive sign. It’s better than it has been.”

About 1,200 employees—800 hourly production workers and 400 salaried workers—were laid off. About 100 hourly employees continued to work in maintenance and utility areas of the plant.

U.S. Steel would not comment on when operations might resume.

U.S. Steel bought the Lone Star Steel plant and its parent company, Lone Star Technologies, about two years ago.

The Lone Star plant produces tubular steel pipe for oil and natural gas production and exploration industries.