(UPDATED)) The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) has set up a dedicated phone line – 410-853-1700 – to take unemployment claims of Sparrows Point steelworkers on layoff.

As first disclosed by The Brew, RG Steel began laying off workers on Friday as the company suspended its steelmaking operations and curtailed its finishing operations in an effort to conserve cash.

The Baltimore Sun reports tonight that RG Steel submitted a list to DLLR of 720 people to be laid off at the steel mill until March 4. (NOTE: This date is for unemployment claim purposes only – employees could return to work sooner or later.)

The Baltimore County mill employs about 1,800 unionized workers. Several hundred independent contractors also work at the plant.

RG Steel has not announced the layoffs publicly or issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notices to the workforce. Federal law requires large employers to give a 60-day notice to employees and their union if 50 or more employees are to be laid off during any 30-day period. Certain exemptions apply.

Company spokeswoman Bette Kovach has not responded to requests for information about the Sparrows Point layoffs.