Following news of ArcelorMittal walking away from the table in union negotiations late last week, U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers have announced a more amicable “break” in negotiations with a scheduled resumption in two weeks.

Nevertheless, serious differences remain in a year in which mining companies are asking for concessions from the union amid a global collapse in the prices of iron ore and steel.

U.S. Steel owns and operates Minnesota’s largest mine at Minntac in Mountain Iron and Keewatin Taconite. It also is part owner of Hibbing Taconite and is a major landholder throughout the region. Minntac and Keewatin Taconite both saw major layoffs this summer, though Minntac is back online now.