BP and representatives of the United Steelworkers will reconvene on Monday to continue negotiations over a new labor agreement at the company's Whiting, Indiana oil refinery, both sides said on Wednesday. The upcoming session follows months of talks that did not produce a deal and a company-imposed lockout that began March 19.
In a statement, BP said it looks forward to returning to the negotiating table with the objective of arriving at an agreement that preserves jobs while also improving the refinery's operational performance, strengthening safety measures and maintaining long-term competitiveness across a range of economic conditions. The company added that it has negotiated in good faith from the outset and intends to continue doing so.
The Whiting refinery processes about 440,000 barrels per day and is the largest refinery in the U.S. Midwest. Approximately 800 workers at the site have been locked out since March 19 after months of unsuccessful bargaining for a replacement labor contract.
Summary
The parties will meet on Monday to renew contract negotiations at the Whiting, Indiana refinery. BP emphasized goals of job preservation, improved performance, enhanced safety and sustained competitiveness. The lockout affecting about 800 workers remains in place following prior failed talks.
Key points
- BP and United Steelworkers scheduled to resume bargaining on Monday - impacts the energy and labor sectors.
- About 800 employees have been locked out of the 440,000-barrel-per-day Whiting refinery since March 19 - relevant to regional refining capacity and operations.
- BP states its negotiation priorities include maintaining jobs, performance improvements and safety enhancements - matters of operational risk and long-term competitiveness.
Risks and uncertainties
- Negotiations may not reach a new contract - the lockout and past unsuccessful talks demonstrate ongoing bargaining uncertainty, affecting workers and refinery operations.
- The continuation of the lockout creates uncertainty for the facility's workforce and local economic activity tied to refinery operations.
Both parties issued their most recent announcements on Wednesday. The coming Monday session will be the next formal opportunity to break the impasse at the site, where BP has stressed its commitment to good-faith bargaining and to goals that span employment, safety and competitiveness.