BP workers hit picket line at Whiting Refinery

More than 1,000 USW members are now on strike at Whiting, with BP attempting to keep production going with non-union managers and supervisors.

The strike officially began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, and any union workers at work at the refinery were expected to join those on the picket lines. Pickets continued Sunday morning.

Until now, BP refineries had been spared from the strike, with the United Steelworker's Union targeting refineries run by Shell Oil Co., which is leading negotiations on a new national contract.

Union officials at USW Local 7-1 for the Whiting Refinery were involved in feverish preparations at the union hall on Schrage Avenue on Saturday. Local 346-3 was involved in similar preparations for a strike at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery.

“It is amazing that an industry — which has such a potential for danger both in the workplace and within the surrounding communities of their facilities — is refusing to engage in any serious dialogue with their workforce about issues which are central to their mission and the development of a qualified, well-trained workforce to meet future needs," said Tom Conway, USW International vice president of administration, in a prepared release on Saturday.

BP spokesman Scott Dean on Friday said the company was disappointed the USW had decided to call a strike at both Whiting Refinery and BP-Husky Toledo Refinery. He said the company still hoped there would be a settlement allowing a new three-year contract to be signed.

BP has trained replacement workers — primarily of current and former BP employees — to safely operate the refinery, Dean said.

At the Local 7-1 union hall Saturday afternoon the parking lot was full and several workers exited the hall with picket signs. A Times reporter was told the union president was conducting a meeting and could not talk at that time.

Earlier this month, BP froze pay for all nonunion employees company-wide and reported a $4.4 billion quarterly loss after crude oil prices plunged.