WHITING | Talks have resumed between the United Steelworkers and the oil companies, but the union said little progress has been made.
More than 5,200 workers nationwide — including nearly 1,100 at the BP Whiting Refinery — are on strike, demanding safer working conditions and less onerous work schedules. The USW and Shell, which represents all oil companies in talks over a new three-year contract, resumed negotiations Tuesday after more workers walked off the job in Whiting and Toledo this weekend.
But the renewed talks don't seem to be going anywhere — at least, not so far.
"When talks recessed last week the industry told the USW bargaining committee that they would be bringing one of their maintenance experts to discuss the issue of contractors in refineries," the USW said in a statement. "Instead of bringing their expert, the industry brought a confidentiality agreement and no new information. After a discussion about the industry's failure to bargain in good faith and their game playing regarding our legitimate requests for information the USW put forward a proposal to remove contractors and adequately staff facilities to ensure safe operations along with the rest of our agenda."
Shell said in a statement it is working to put together information the USW requested about its staffing and business practices, which the oil company said included confidential information.
"Tuesday, the parties engaged in discussions to clarify the scope of the union's request; and, we are in the process of collecting relevant information," a company spokesperson said. "We continue to discuss issues and negotiate with the USW in the hopes of agreeing on a mutually satisfactory agreement."
Shell asked for more time to put together the requested information, and the USW bargaining committee is ready to continue bargaining, the union said in its statement.
Staffing levels and the use of contractors have been sticking points.
"The industry also continues to insist that they will not agree to language that restricts their ability to staff facilities as they see fit — regardless of the safety implications — and they will not agree to language that would limit their 'flexibility' by restricting their ability to contract out work," the union said.
Workers have been striking over workplace dangers such as routine leaks and explosions, understaffing that leads to weeks of consecutive 12-hour shifts without any time off, and the growing use of contractors in jobs once held by union workers. Shell says refinery employees are up to five times less likely to be hurt on the job than in other manufacturing sectors, and that the injury rate has fallen industry-wide by 40 percent since 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since the strike began Sunday, members of other union locals and local business people such as Albert's Diamond Jewelers President Josh Halpern have gone by the picket line in Whiting to show support. A Facebook page in support of USW Local 7-1's strike had nearly 5,000 likes as of Wednesday afternoon.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued a statement in support of the 5,200 USW-represented oil refinery workers who are on strike.
"No one should go to work each day wondering if it will be their last," Trumka said. "No one should be asked by a supervisor to labor at unsafe staffing levels. This strike is about protecting workers and their families, and it's about protecting the communities where these facilities are located. The workers are protesting the oil companies' serious unfair labor practices, including their refusal to negotiate over mandatory subjects, undue delays in providing information, impeded bargaining, and threats issued to workers if they joined the ULP (unfair labor practice) strike."