Union expands refinery strike. The United Steelworkers’ strike affecting 10% of the nation’s oil refining capacity that is entering its second week is now expanding.
One week after the Steelworkers called nearly 4,000 workers out on strike at nine of the nation’s oil refineries, leaving more than 50 other refineries on “rolling 24-hour” contract extensions, the Steelworkers upped the ante over the weekend by calling 1,000 workers out at two more refineries.
So far, as oil companies use management and other salaried personnel to operate, the strike has only idled one refinery, which was already maintenance scheduled.
According to the union’s press release:
The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that workers at BP’s Whiting, Indiana and Toledo, Ohio refineries are joining the union’s unfair labor practice strike against the oil industry that began on Feb. 1, after the companies failed to address serious concerns regarding the health and safety of workers and their communities.
The union gave BP management notice on Friday, Feb. 6 that about 1,100 members of USW Local 7-1 at the Whiting refinery and some 340 members of Local 346-3 on Saturday would join nearly 3,800 USW oil workers already on a ULP strike at nine refineries in California, Kentucky, Texas and Washington.
via NBCChicago:
Other unions cross picket lines. Members of building trade unions have been instructed to report to work on Monday at Marathon Petroleum Corp’s (MPC.N) refinery in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, according to Reuters.
For the first week of the strike, Marathon advised workers represented by the Building Trades Unions, not to return to work. These unions represent workers who are employed by maintenance contractors at the plant, while USW workers generally operate the units. The latest letter tells members to return to work Monday, but not to replace USW workers who are still on strike.
“As a labor organization, we fully respect the USW workforce,” the business manager of the building trades said in a letter to local unions. “However to avoid any possible detrimental legal proceedings, it is advised that your local union direct your members to report to work.”
Since the strike began, oil prices have remained fairly steady.
building trade unions are under the NMA or national maintenance agreement and it has a no strike Claus. We stand with USW but due to our agreement we must man our work according to the NMA.
FYI Dave, the AFLCIO sent a memo out on Jan 31st to all affiliared Building Trades, stating that we are not sanctioning their strike. That memo was sent to respective locals at each craft. Do your honework!
NMA or not, I will never cross another trades picket. Solidarity brothers. Get what’s rightfully yours.
Obviously you do not perform industrial work for the Bldg Trades.
This site is a complete bag of misinformation, the gas prices have gone up 20 cents a gallon. Just a bunch of one sided anti-union garbage. No doubt funded by corporations.
What is it that you find misinforming? Quoting sources, such as the union or NBC news?
Actually, Kevin, we don’t accept corporate donations. However, if you’d like to donate, please feel free.
If not, have a nice life.
They should expand the strike even further and campaign to bring other unions to join them, no-strike clause should be torn up.
Call in sick….dont cross the picket line. Thats how we band together!
I cant wait to cross the line with true union brothers. The bldg trades will never support a mickey mouse “union” Who gave been in the refineries for only a decade, weve been in these refiineties for over 100 years and now all of a sudden this fly by night “union” wants us out?! It isnt going to happen! F**k their line & all tgat support them!
If the USW expects the Bldg Trade Unions to support them, they have another thing coming. Union or Non-Union, the USW is pushing for ALL contractors to be removed from ALL plants, so that they can control all of the work and reap the benefits of increased dues. They want to establish their own hiring halls as well. The USW is nothing but a bunch of back-stabbing rats! We at the Bldg Trades will NEVER forget this move, you will never get away with it!
I cant wait to cross the line with true union brothers. The bldg trades will never support a mickey mouse “union” Who have only been in the refineries for just a decade, we’ve been in these refiineties for over 100 years and now all of a sudden this fly by night “union” wants us out?! It isnt going to happen! f**k their line & all that support them! There are 30,000 USW members & over 4 million AFL-CIO Building Trades members. TRY AND STOP US!