USW rejects BP's last offer to Whiting refinery employees

The U.S. United SteelWorkers union members voted Thursday to 'overwhelmingly reject' what energy giant BP called their "last, best and final" contract proposal for those who work at its Whiting refinery, Indiana.

In a press release, the USW said that "an unprecedented 94 percent of union members voted on Thursday and 98.3 percent voted to reject BP's proposal."

Last week, BP presented the union a "Last, Best and Final Offer" (LBFO), and stated that it would expire in 10 calendar days.

USW said that after two-months of negotiations, BP’s proposal included changes to the basic contract terms, including limiting the union’s right to strike, reducing its bargaining power, base wage reductions across classifications and the outsourcing of 100 union jobs.

United Steelworkers Local 7-1 represents about 800 workers in the U.S. Midwest's largest refinery. The company will be given an opportunity to make a "more serious" proposal by BP after the results of its bargaining committee are reported to the company.

BP confirmed late Thursday that the Whiting refinery's represented workers voted against BP's "final offer".

The company said that "BP will continue bargaining in the 'best interests' of?our company, our employees, and the local community".

Eric Schultz is the president of USW 7-1. He said that the company has been trying to split the union by offering donuts and other treats during the members' shifts. They have also threatened to take away health insurance or lock out the workers.

Since the expiration of their contract on January 31, the union has worked under a rolling extension of 24 hours to their previous agreement. (Reporting from Ishaan arora and Noel John, Bengaluru. Additional reporting by Swati verma. Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Stephen Coates and Stephen Coates.

(source: Reuters)