BP's lockout at Indiana refinery extends into a second month after union talks stall

A lockout at BP's 440,000-barrel-per-day ?refinery in Whiting, Indiana, enters its second month as the ?British oil major and ?hundreds of union workers ?remain ?at odds.

BP locked out around 800 workers representing the United Steelworkers on March 19 after months of failed negotiations to produce a new contract.

Whiting is the biggest refinery in Midwest, and a major supplier of gasoline diesel and jet fuel. The Whiting facility has been able to continue operating 'during the lockout, after BP brought temporary workers in.

BP announced on Wednesday that it had 'attempted twice since April to return to the union for negotiations but had not received a?formal response.

In a video posted on the website of BP Whiting, BP Whiting refinery Manager Chris DellaFranco stated: "We are prepared to resume bargaining."

DellaFranco denied the union's claim, that the company proposal would eliminate 100 jobs for union workers. According to the company, approximately 65 jobs would be affected by this proposal and workers would receive "generous" compensation.

The Steelworkers had previously accused BP of pressuring its workers to accept concessions. The union claimed that BP told them the lockout wouldn't be lifted unless the workers agreed to BP demands. These included job?cuts?, wage reductions across all classifications? and limitations on collective bargaining?

Eric Schultz was not immediately available to comment. Whiting's lockout occurred?at a period of high gasoline and diesel prices, as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed for a long time during the conflict in the Middle East. A prolonged disruption of operations could cause fuel prices to rise even more.

(source: Reuters)