BP Whiting Refinery revises its proposal to the union in ongoing negotiations

BP announced that its Whiting refinery had returned 'to the bargaining table' with the United Steelworkers - Local 7-1 negotiating committee on Friday and presented a revised proposal to bring the parties closer together.

In response to union concerns, the company said that it has withdrawn the voluntary reductions of up to 42 employees of maintenance crafts.

BP said the proposal included an average 13% 'pay increase' over the first four?years of a six-year proposed agreement.?Pay increases in the last two?years would match those?set out in the 2030 National Oil Bargaining.

In an email, United Steelworkers Local 7-1 disputed BP’s description of the proposal, claiming that the company "misled" workers and community.

The 'union' said BP intends to continue cutting dozens of jobs locally and criticized the 'offer, calling it "concessionary," arguing headline pay increases will?come along with?wage reductions, reduced bonuses and a?loss of bargaining rights and seniority rights.

Eric Schultz is the president of USW Local 7-1. He said, "The company's public statements talk about raises and bonuses, but they leave out wage cuts, job eliminations, rights loss, and reductions in earning capacity that come with it."

(source: Reuters)