The United Steelworkers on Sunday stopped work at several refineries after the union failed to reach a contract renewal agreement with oil companies. Via Bloomberg, the sites affected by the strike represent 10% of U.S. refining capacity. Tesoro said it would shut down the remaining process units at its Martinez, Calif., refinery, which has about half of its units off line for planned maintenance. It is the largest oil workers’ strike since 1980.
Other sites affected include Tesoro’s Carson, Calif., and Anacortes, Wash., refineries; Marathon’s Catlettsburg, Ky., and Galveston Bay, Texas, refineries; Shell’s Deer Park, Texas, facility; and LyondellBasell’s Houston refinery. Anonymous sources said more refineries are standing by to join the strike. Via Reuters, the United Steelworkers said the other refineries it represents are operating under rolling 24-hour contract extensions.
Lead industry negotiator Shell ended talks Sunday after the union rejected a fifth proposal. The union is seeking higher pay raises, lower out-of-pocket health care costs, a new workplace fatigue policy and to be given work that typically goes to non-union contractors.
