News Articles

• February 06, 2012 | USW Weekly List of Refinery Events The USW is providing a weekly list of process safety upsets and refinery events to inform our members and the public of how frequent these incidents happen at U.S. oil refineries. The information listed is from the Department of Energy website and only includes incidents that have been reported to the government and the media.
• February 03, 2012 Confused About National Oil Bargaining Process? Maybe This Will Help There seems to be a lot of confusion over how the National Oil Bargaining process works. What occurs at the National level of negotiations between the International Union and the lead Company (in this case Shell Oil) is the negotiations of the National Oil Policy which was adopted by the National Oil Conference in September of last year 2011.
• February 01, 2012 | USW USW Reaches Tentative Three-Year Agreement With Oil Industry The United Steelworkers (USW) is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with Shell on a new three-year agreement, pending ratification by the union’s membership.
• January 31, 2012 Steelworkers Set To Take Action As Contract Expiration Nears USW members from local petrochemical refineries are taking to the street to rally for a new contract and raise public awareness of process safety issues. The event at North Temple and Redwood Road is scheduled from 6 PM to 8 PM tonight.
• January 31, 2012 | USW Action Alert for USW Members in the Northeast Sunoco and ConocoPhillips have arbitrarily decided to shut down three strategic oil refineries on the East Coast, all three in or near Philadelphia, Pa. All three of these refineries are USW workplaces, and if the companies follow through on their threat, 1,300 of our members will lose their jobs.
• January 29, 2012 National Oil Bargaining Update Click here for Sunday's bargaining update from the National Oil Bargaining Policy Committee.
• January 29, 2012 | Reuters Union says U.S. refinery workers strike more likely The United Steelworkers union warned on Saturday that a strike by U.S. refinery workers as early as 12 a.m. Wednesday was becoming more likely due to "the lack of a more substantive response from the industry.
• January 28, 2012 | USW BARGAINING UPDATE: Strike action may be necessary Click here for Saturday's bargaining update from the National Oil Bargaining Policy Committee.
• January 27, 2012 Oil Bargaining Update: Health and Safety Issues Remain a Top Priority
• January 27, 2012 OIL BARGAINING UPDATE International VP Gary Beevers and Jim Lefton continued bargaining today with Shell. They continue to discuss health and safety issues. Bargaining will continue Friday. We remain optimistic that a mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached.
• January 26, 2012 Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. letter to Sunoco Chairman and CEO Lynn Elsenhans, ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO James Mulva Pennsylvania Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. sent a letter Jan. 25 to Sunoco Chairman and CEO Lynn Elsenhans and ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO James Mulva.
• January 26, 2012 January 21 - National Day of Action Photos Oil locals across the country participated in the Jan. 21 National Day of Action by handbilling in front of or at gas stations.
• January 26, 2012 BARGAINING UPDATE Your bargaining team continues to meet and bargain the issues that are important to our members.
• January 25, 2012 Bargaining Update: NOB talks with the industry continue this week. NOB talks with the industry continue this week. The rank-and-file policy committee has joined VP Gary Beevers and Jim Lefton. Major issues continue to be pensions, healthcare, job security, wages and health and safety. Stay strong and continue to check back for updates as talks continue.
• January 24, 2012 Oil Locals Mobilize Across US for Fair Contract Over the past week USW oil sector locals engaged in mobilization activities at refineries and their surrounding communities. USW members at almost every refinery participated in the oil bargaining mobilization program, distributing handbills, stickers, and placards.
• January 24, 2012 | AFL-CIO USW Oil Workers Take to the Streets in National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs Three years ago members of the United Steelworkers (USW) went to the bargaining table with the big oil companies to bargain changes to health and safety programs at oil refineries that would keep workers safe. Across the board, the industry said no.
• January 24, 2012 Retire With Dignity This handbill, “Retire With Dignity” highlights a serious issue that is on the bargaining table this year. The oil companies are paying top executives millions, they certainly could afford to ensure that we are able to retire with dignity.
• January 23, 2012 National Day of Action for Refinery Safety Oil Workers engaged in a National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs on Saturday, January 21. Members in refinery communities around the country visited gas stations and distributed handbills to drivers on the importance of refinery safety in the ongoing round of contract negotiations.
• January 20, 2012 Senator Chris Coons Tours the PBF Delaware City U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) toured the PBF Delaware City refinery Jan. 10 and had lunch with Local 4898 leadership. The senator said he was impressed by how well organized and determined they were to make sure that safety was their #1 priority.
• January 20, 2012 | USW USW Refinery Workers Hold National Day of Action for Safety Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union who work at oil refineries around the country are planning a National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs on January 21. Members in refinery communities around the country plan to visit gas stations and distribute handbills to drivers on the importance of refinery safety
• January 19, 2012 National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs Join the National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs to help us get out the word about the fight for safe refineries on January 21. Get together with your local union or organization and stop by a local gas station and distribute informational flyers about the fight for refinery safety.
• January 19, 2012 National Oil Bargaining Update International Vice President Gary Beevers and District 13 Assistant to the Director, Jim Lefton are in bargaining with the oil industry this week. They have exchanged initial proposals and discussions continue. They will be joined by members of the rank-and-file policy committee next week. They will keep you updated as progress continues. Stay strong and stay together!
• January 19, 2012 | USW Oil Workers to Rally at Chevron Headquarters Members and supporters of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5 plan to rally at Chevron Corporation’s global headquarters in San Ramon, California at noon on Friday, January 20. USW Local 5 will be demanding that Chevron and the other oil companies address serious health and safety proposals at the bargaining table in the ongoing round of contract negotiations.
• January 18, 2012 Quality Affordable Healthcare This handbill, “Quality Affordable Healthcare,” highlights a serious issue that is on the bargaining table this year. These companies certainly can afford to pay for adequate healthcare and our families deserve it.
• January 15, 2012 Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Asked to Meet with USW International Vice President Gary Beevers wrote a second letter to Pennsylvania GovernorThomas W. Corbett, Jr. requesting a face-to-face meeting with him to discuss collective efforts to find new buyers for the ConocoPhillips Trainer, Pa., refinery and Sunoco Marcus Hook and South Philadelphia refineries. All three will be permanently shuttered if buyers are not found.
• January 13, 2012 President Gerard Writes Letters to Government Officials Regarding Philadelphia Refinery Closures President Gerard wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration asking the agency to investigate the impact the closures of the ConocoPhillips, Trainer, Pa. refinery and Sunoco Marcus Hook and South Philadelphia refineries will have on the supply and quality of jet fuel to the Northeast airports.
• January 13, 2012 Rep. Mark S. Critz Writes to Oil CEOs Rep. Mark S. Critz (D-Pa) from the 12th District wrote letters to ConocoPhillips CEO Jim Mulva and Sunoco CEO Lynn Elsenhans, offering his assistance to find buyers for the ConocoPhillips Trainer, Pa., refinery and Sunoco refineries in Marcus Hook and South Philadelphia.
• January 12, 2012 | U.S. Senator Bob Casey Casey to ConocoPhillips: Clarify Intentions for Trainer Facility and Protect Workers U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to ConocoPhillips urging the company to more clearly lay out its plans for its Trainer refinery and do everything possible to protect the workers at the facility.
• January 11, 2012 National Day of Action Jan. 21 for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs This month, more than 30,000 oil workers from across the country are bargaining new labor contracts with the big oil companies. The biggest issue on the bargaining table is one that impacts us all—safety.
• January 10, 2012 National Oil Bargaining Program Handbill #7 Please print this handbill and distribute it to your members through your CAT teams, steward structures or Rapid Response teams. It's important that we mobilize during this contract time
• January 10, 2012 Building Support in our Communities - 2012 National Oil Bargaining To strengthen our position and help ensure victory as we fight for fair contracts, we need to involve our communities. Sometimes, our employers are simply too big to fight alone: and they donʼt get much bigger than Big Oil. In cases like that - if the company wants to slash wages or benefits - we must find allies to join our campaign and support our side of the cause.
• January 10, 2012 National Oil Bargaining Program Handbill #6 Please print this handbill and distribute it to your members through your CAT teams, steward structures or Rapid Response teams. It's important that we mobilize during this contract time.
• January 10, 2012 | USW USW Local 10-234 Fights Demolition of ConocoPhillips Trainer, Pa., Refinery United Steelworkers Local 10-234 President Denis Stephano announced today that the plant manager at the ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer, Pa., told union officials on Jan. 5 that if a serious buyer is not identified or the refinery is not sold by March 31, the facility will be demolished.
• January 05, 2012 | USW USW Details Negative Impact of Philadelphia Refinery Shutdowns Three United Steelworkers (USW) local union oil refinery leaders spoke here today about the negative effects on employment and Northeast oil product supplies and prices if the three Philadelphia area refineries slated for closure are allowed to stop production permanently.
• January 04, 2012 National Oil Bargaining Update National Oil Bargaining (NOB) is about to begin! International VP Gary Beevers and his assistant, Jim Lefton, will be meeting with the industry starting the week of January 16. The rank-and-file NOB Policy Committee will be joining them the week of Jan. 23 and talks will continue through contract expiration. It's important we stay strong & united!
• December 24, 2011 | USW USW Says Government Analysis Confirms Shutdown of Philadelphia-area Refineries Could Negatively Impact Oil Products for Northeast Region The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report today that confirms what the USW has been saying about the impact of shutting down the ConocoPhillips and Sunoco Philadelphia-area refineries: supplies of oil products could be negatively impacted with accompanying price volatility and spikes.
• December 22, 2011 | The Advocate Group assails plant’s record Over the past few months, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade has collected 1,363 letters from state residents urging ExxonMobil to reduce the number of accidents at its large oil refinery in Baton Rouge.
• December 22, 2011 Hundeds of Louisiana Residents Urge ExxonMobil to Improve Storm Preparation, Reduce Accidents The Louisiana Bucket Brigade collected letters about ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge accidents and delivered them today to the refinery's manager, Steven Blume. The letters urge Blume to upgrade equipment, hire more workers, improve emergency alerts and implement proper shutdowns of sthe refinery in advance of storms.
• December 20, 2011 | CBS Philly Little Apparent Substance In Talks Over Closure of 3 Area Oil Refineries Congressional and labor leaders got together this morning in Marcus Hook (Delaware County) to see what could be done to save hundreds of jobs at three area oil refineries slated for closure.
• December 20, 2011 Keep Northeast Refineries Open The closing of ConocoPhillips and Sunoco Oil's Philadelphia and Marcus Hook, Pa refineries will be not only be a devastating blow to those communities and school districts in South Eastern Pa, but the whole Tri-State Area as well.
• December 20, 2011 | The Epoch Times Safety Concerns Heighten Over Petrochemical Plants A firefighter at the 2009 Catano oil refinery fire in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico adjusts his equipment. Officials from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board determined that a faulty gauge had caused the fire.
• December 14, 2011 National Oil Bargaining Program Handbill #5 Please print this handbill and distribute it to your members through your CAT teams, steward structures or Rapid Response teams. It's important that we mobilize during this contract time.
• December 14, 2011 National Oil Bargaining Update USW International Vice President Gary Beevers met with the oil industry Dec. 9 and presented the oil workers' National Oil Bargaining Policy. Bargaining with the industry will mostly happen in January, especially the last two weeks before the pattern agreement expires at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 1.
• December 06, 2011 President Gerard Appeals to Northeast Congressional Delegation, Governors to Keep Philadelphia Area Refineries Operating United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard sent the attached letter to the entire Northeast congressional delegation--all members of Congress between Delaware and Maine--as well as all the governors from those states. The letters were personalized to each member of Congress and the individual governors.
• December 06, 2011 Jobs Available for Philly Oil Workers Local 10-1 just received notice that there is a career fair in Philadelphia on Dec. 9-10, 2011 that might interest oil workers from the Sunoco and ConocoPhillips refineries who are scheduled to lose their jobs if their refineries are not sold.
• December 01, 2011 Nibarger Presents "Five Fatal Flaws" Liz Bettinger from the USW's Legislative Dept. took photos of Kim Nibarger, USW's health and safety oil expert, and Jim Lefton, assistant to USW International Vice President Gary Beevers, as they briefed Congress on health and safety issues within the oil sector and how National Oil Bargaining works.
• November 29, 2011 | USW USW Officials Detail Oil Health & Safety Problems to Congress United Steelworkers (USW) officials briefed congressional members and staff today about health and safety problems in the oil industry and how they will impact National Oil Bargaining talks which are scheduled to heat up in January.
• November 22, 2011 | USW NEW VIDEO: Why the oil industry is still out of control Check out this new video that shows how workers are dying in the richest industry on earth because the profit-fueled oil industry is still out of control. Click here now.
• November 21, 2011 | USW Hundreds Turn Out to Support USW Locals in Philadelphia Region USW Locals 10-1, 10-901 and 10-234 joined together to organize a community walk and picnic in Marcus Hook, Pa., Nov. 5. Over a 1,000 people turned out to walk and residents cheered them on. Local labor, community and political leaders spoke at the community picnic at Marcus Hook Park.
• November 21, 2011 Resolution in Support all those Impacted by the Sunoco and Conoco/Phillips Closure At the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation annual meeting on Nov. 20, the delegates unanimously supported a resolution in support of our USW members and all those impacted by the Sunoco and Conoco/Phillips decision to sell or close the Philadelphia area refineries.
• November 18, 2011 | USW USW Oil Workers Ratify National Oil Bargaining Policy United Steelworkers (USW) members at oil facilities nationwide overwhelmingly ratified the National Oil Bargaining (NOB) policy, the union’s national contract proposal, during a 45-day period after delegates to the September oil bargaining conference adopted it.
• November 16, 2011 Letters Sent on Behalf USW Locals over the Closure of ConocoPhillips, Sunoco Refineries The USW Legislative Department and Local 10-234, 10-1 and 10-901 have been contacting members of Congress to help keep open the ConocoPhillips Trainer, Pa., refinery and the Sunoco refineries in Philadelphia and Marcus Hook, Pa.
• November 15, 2011 Help Our Brothers and Sisters at ConocoPhillips by sending Letters. ConocoPhillips plans to shutdown the Trainer, Pa., refinery on Jan. 16 if no buyer is found. You can help Local 10-234 members keep their jobs by getting signatures on the letters to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and President Obama and Joe Biden asking them to take action to find a buyer and do everything possible to keep the refinery open.
• November 15, 2011 | Reuters Conoco to close Trainer, Pa plant in Jan if no buyer ConocoPhillips (COP.N) said on Monday it plans to lay off 409 employees and shut down all remaining operations at its 185,000 barrels-per-day Trainer, Pennsylvania, refinery on Jan. 16, if no buyer for the facility is found by that time.
• November 15, 2011 Louisiana Bucket Brigade's "Common Ground III" The Louisiana Bucket Brigade issued its "Common Ground III" report today. Based on reports Louisiana refineries provided to the state there were 354 accidents in 2010 - one for nearly every day of the year. The two Exxon refineries in the state were responsible for a third (133) of the accidents.
• November 04, 2011 | USW Photos of the 2011 National Oil Bargaining Conference Three hundred oil worker delegates attended the September 19-23 National Oil Bargaining conference in Dallas. They set the National Oil Bargaining policy, participated in workshops, listened to speakers and discussed concerns over oil product imports. Photos are by Darrell Byers Photography.
• October 31, 2011 Reliance Says It’s Not Trying to Buy Valero Contrary to the rumors floating around the market, Reliance says it’s not trying to purchase Valero. Here is the company’s media statement:
• October 31, 2011 USW Sunoco, ConocoPhillips Refinery Workers Host Community Walk, Picnic to Recognize Community Support for Keeping Good Jobs in Philadelphia Area Sunoco announced on September 7 the sale or closure of both the Philadelphia and Marcus Hook refineries in July of 2012. Three weeks later, ConocoPhillips announced the shutdown of the Trainer refinery and potential sale of the facility. Since those two days in September, the local and international leadership of the United Steelworkers (USW) Union, which represents these refinery employees, initiated a strategic campaign to not only save our jobs but also the livelihoods of all of the families who rely on these refineries.
• October 27, 2011 Still Out of Control Copies of our new film "Still Out of Control" have been mailed to every local along with this promotional poster. Be sure to screen the movie with your members and hang the poster up at your refinery!
• October 27, 2011 Steelworkers plan March for Good Jobs, Local Jobs, Community Jobs United Steelworker Locals 10-234 and 10-1 are inviting the public to join with them at a "Good Jobs, Local Jobs" rally on Saturday, November 5, 2011 beginning at 1:00 p.m. The event will begin at Locals 10-234, 10-1 and 10-901 Union Halls at Palmer and Chichester Avenue and then will move to Marcus Hook Park.
• October 19, 2011 Asking for Support to Keep the Northeast Refineries Open Concerns have been raised over the recent announcements of the closure of the ConocoPhillips Trainer, PA refinery and Sunoco Oil Company's Philadelphia and Marcus Hook, PA refineries.
• September 29, 2011 | USW USW Delegates Set National Oil Bargaining Policy Three hundred United Steelworkers (USW) delegates from the oil sector met last week in Dallas to form, debate and adopt the National Oil Bargaining Policy (NOBP) for 2012 negotiations.
• September 27, 2011 | USW USW Statement on ConocoPhillips’ Decision to Shut Down Trainer, Pa., Refinery in Six Months United Steelworkers (USW) Union International Vice President Gary Beevers issued the following statement today on ConocoPhillips’ decision to close its Trainer, Pa., refinery in six months if a buyer is not found:
• September 26, 2011 | Reuters US refinery workers prepare for strike ahead of talks The largest U.S. refinery workers' union is prepared to strike for the first time in 32 years unless oil companies agree to step up safeguards by next February, a top union official said on Friday.
• September 26, 2011 | Bloomberg Steelworkers Leader Says Strike Possible Over Refinery Safety The lead negotiator for the United Steelworkers said the union representing employees at 69 U.S. oil refineries is prepared to strike if companies don’t agree to stricter safety procedures at plants and pipelines.
• August 31, 2011 | USW Local 10-1 Local 10-1 Criticizes Sunoco’s Response to Hurricane Irene United Steelworkers Union (USW) Local 10-1 says Sunoco put at risk its workers, equipment and the community by continuing to operate during hurricane Irene.
• June 17, 2011 | USW ExxonMobil Must Improve Process Safety at Baytown Refinery The United Steelworkers Union (USW) says the June 14 injury at ExxonMobil's Baytown, Texas, refinery shows the company must do a better job at handling process safety. Click here for more.
• May 26, 2011 ExxonMobil Council Meeting May 24, 2011 in Dallas These are photos from the ExxonMobil Council Meeting that was held May 24, 2011 in Dallas prior to the ExxonMobil shareholders meeting on May 25.
• May 25, 2011 USW Clerical Workers Confront ExxonMobil CEO Tillerson at Shareholders Meeting While many high profile company executives, investment bankers and oil speculators may have been celebrating ExxonMobil’s $30.5 billion profits in 2010, there was a decidedly different attitude among the Baytown clerical women and their fellow Steelworker supporters at the ExxonMobil shareholders meeting today.
• May 05, 2011 Call for the 2011 National Oil Bargaining Conference The National Oil Bargaining Conference has been scheduled for September 19-23, 2011 in Dallas, Texas for local unions having membership in oil and related groups.
• May 03, 2011 | USW Steelworkers Take Oil-Industry Safety Issues to Shareholders The United Steelworkers (USW) are presenting shareholder resolutions at Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO), Valero (NYSE: VLO), Tesoro (NYSE: TSO), and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), calling on the companies to improve disclosures on safety at oil refineries.
• April 15, 2011 | Beaumont Enterprise.com Exxon earns $30 billion, but no raise for clerical workers Rex Tillerson, chairman of ExxonMobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, sat down with his board of directors and complained: "That danged General Electric didn't pay no taxes. They pulled a fast one. We're fallin' behind in the fast-one department. How're y'all gonna make it up?"
• March 30, 2011 ExxonMobil Earns Billions, Denies Raise for Baytown Refinery Clerical Staff ExxonMobil is denying a raise to clerical workers at its Baytown, Texas, facility despite earning $30.5 billion in 2010. The United Steelworkers Union (USW) Local 13-2001 represents the 41 workers in the bargaining unit, all of whom are women. The union and the company began negotiations March 1 for a new three-year agreement. The contract expired March 15.
• March 16, 2011 | USW Save the Date: April 4, 2011 The USW is calling on all its members, retirees and supporters to show We Are One on April 4, 2011. Click here for more.
• March 01, 2011 | The Center for Public Integrity The Forgotten Ones: Few Remedies for Injured Contractors February 22, 2008, began like any other day for José Herrera. A seasoned contract pipefitter in his late 40s, Herrera had labored in Texas refineries for two decades. The work was hard and sporadic, but on a good week, including overtime, an experienced hand like Herrera might earn $3,500, enough to provide a good life for his wife ... more
• March 01, 2011 USW Oil Workers Support Wisconsin Workers USW Local 10-1 President Jim Savage from the Sunoco Philadelphia refinery told Wisconsin protesters inside the capital that they have the support of his local and the USW and that their fight is everyone's fight.
• February 28, 2011 | The Center for Public Integrity Regulatory Flaws, Repeated Violations Put Oil Refinery Workers at Risk One evening last April at the Tesoro Corp.’s refinery in Anacortes, Washington, Matt Gumbel and six co-workers cautiously returned to service a stack of giant, radiator-like tubes filled with volatile hydrocarbons. The tubes, known as heat exchangers, tended to leak, especially during start-up ...
• February 25, 2011 Use of Toxic Acid Puts Millions at Risk It was a disturbingly close call, closer than it appeared at the time. On July 19, 2009, an explosion rocked an oil refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas, critically injuring a worker and spawning a fire that burned for more than two days. The blast at the Citgo East refinery unleashed a chemical unknown to many Americans, though it is capable of sweeping ... more
• February 01, 2011 | USW Steelworkers to Maintain Safety Campaign at BP Refineries The United Steelworkers Union (USW) is working with BP to guarantee a smooth transition when the company’s Texas City, Texas, and Carson, Calif., refineries are sold. Employees’ jobs and the USW contracts at both facilities will be protected because of the successorship language in the agreements.
• January 27, 2011 Common Ground 11, Why Cooperation To Reduce Accidents at Louisiana Refineries is Needed Now A new report shows Louisiana’s problems with environmental destruction and public health hazards are not limited to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. The USW, along with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and other national and local environmental groups, rolled out in mid-December the report ... more
• January 14, 2011 | USW USW Officials Tell Chemical Safety Board Refinery Operations Showcase Oil Industry’s Approach to Safety The health and safety problems that led to the fire and explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and subsequent oil spill are symbolic of the problems found throughout the industry, USW officials testified to the Chemical Safety Board (CSB).
• December 13, 2010 | USW USW Participating Dec. 15 in Chemical Safety Board Hearing on Offshore Oil, Gas Safety A United Steelworkers Union (USW) oil health and safety expert and two USW leaders who work on the North Slope of Alaska in BP’s pipeline and exploration operations will be discussing process safety issues at the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) Dec. 15 hearing in Washington, D.C. on "Regulatory Approaches to Offshore Oil and Gas Safety."
• October 15, 2010 | USW USW Applauds Final ITC Vote for Duties on Seamless Pipe China Imports The United Steelworkers (USW) applauded today’s 6-0 affirmative vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on a joint petition with U.S. pipe makers against China imports of seamless carbon and alloy steel line and pressure pipe.
• October 08, 2010 | USW Refinery Safety Major Focus of National Oil Bargaining Conference At the National Oil Bargaining (NOB) conference in Dallas during September USW officials vowed to continue the refinery health and safety campaign and chastised the oil industry for operating equipment until it fails. “It’s all about money,” said USW Vice President Gary Beevers, who heads the union’s oil sector. “The refiners run the units longer, before scheduling maintenance, to sell as much product as possible.”
• September 23, 2010 USW Says Oil Industry Runs Equipment to Failure United Steelworkers (USW) Vice President Gary Beevers said at the union’s National Oil Bargaining (NOB) conference that the oil industry’s “run to failure” mentality concerning equipment gets worse every day. He also said that the union will not give up its campaign to have enforceable health and safety language.
• September 23, 2010 | USW USW Says Oil Industry Runs Equipment to Failure United Steelworkers (USW) Vice President Gary Beevers said at the union’s National Oil Bargaining (NOB) conference that the oil industry’s “run to failure” mentality concerning equipment gets worse every day. He also said that the union will not give up its campaign to have enforceable health and safety language.
• September 14, 2010 Platts Energy Week - Refinery Safety ViolationsPlatts Energy Week Bill Loveless moderates a panel with Charles Drevna, President of NPRA; Jordan Barab, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor at OHSA and Kim Nibarger, Health and Safety Specialist for the United Steelworkers Union.
• September 02, 2010 | USW USW Statement on Latest Gulf Oil Platform Explosion United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President Gary Beevers issued the following statement concerning the explosion and fire of an offshore petroleum platform in the Gulf of Mexico today: “We are thankful that no one was killed in the explosion today of an offshore petroleum platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, one person was injured and that is one person too many."
• August 20, 2010 Facts about H.R. 5663 and How It Affects You H.R. 5663 (the Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010). H.R. 5663 is not just for miners. In this bill are many of the provisions that we have lobbied for in H.R. 2067 (Protecting America’s Workers Act), provisions that will update OSHA protections for American workers for the first time in 40 years.
• August 16, 2010 | USW Speech at the Emergency Oil Meeting by USW Vice President Gary Beevers United Steelworkers International Vice President Gary Beevers addressed oil local delegates at the June 15-16, 2010 emergency oil meeting held in Pittsburgh. He spoke about the oil companies' failure to learn from previous accidents, the need to change the safety culture within the industry and among the membership, the need to develop an adequate fatigue standard, short staffing within the refineries ... more
• August 13, 2010 USW Statement on BP Settlement to Resolve OSHA Citations United Steelworkers Union (USW) International Vice President Gary Beevers issued the following statement today regarding the settlement agreement between BP Products North America Inc. and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ... more
• July 06, 2010 | USW USW Pursues Safety Negotiations with Oil Industry United Steelworkers (USW) Vice President Gary Beevers, who heads the union’s oil sector, sent a request to the oil industry to re-open the National Oil Bargaining pattern agreement and negotiate health and safety provisions.
• June 30, 2010 Call for the 2010 National Oil Bargaining Conference The National Oil Bargaining Conference is scheduled for September 13th, 2010 through September 16th, 2010 in Dallas, Texas for Local Unions having membership in oil and related groups. Click here for more information.
• June 23, 2010 | Workers Independent News USW: Need stronger safety standards in oil industry, more Click here to listen to USW's Gary Beevers discuss the need for stronger safety standards in the oil industry and more with WIN.
• June 10, 2010 Lessons Not Learned: Oil Industry Fails to Embrace Adequate Safety Measures Kim Nibarger, health and safety specialist for the United Steelworkers (USW), testified today before a Senate subcommittee that the oil industry is failing its workers and the public by failing to embrace process safety. He also emphasized that OSHA’s ability to regulate must be improved.
• June 01, 2010 Refinery Safety Near-misses and deadly tragedies still occur in the petroleum refining industry five years after 15 workers were killed and 180 were injured in a blast at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas. Click here for a series of articles highlighting Refinery Safety.
• May 18, 2010 | USW USW Says LyondellBasell Fire Yet Another Example of Problems Within Oil Industry The United Steelworkers (USW) today said the LyondellBasell refinery fire in Houston is the latest in a series of fires to occur in May and exemplifies the lack of safety within the oil industry. USW Local 13-227 represents the workers at the facility.
• May 03, 2010 | USW USW Chastises Oil Industry for Weekly Refinery Fires The United Steelworkers Union (USW) today chastised the oil industry for the series of fires and explosions that keep happening at refineries around the country, resulting in unnecessary injuries and deaths.
• April 28, 2010 | USW This Workers Memorial Day: Honor Dead By Fighting for Better Safety Laws This Workers Memorial Day we remember the 34 Steelworkers who lost their lives at work over the last year and we vow to keep fighting hard for better health and safety laws. Click here for more.
• April 22, 2010 | USW USW Points to Latest Oil Industry Explosion/Fire as Evidence of Sector’s Need to Overhaul Health & Safety With yet again another accident within the oil industry, the United Steelworkers (USW) union today again called for an overhaul of health and safety within the oil sector.
• April 20, 2010 | USW Too Many Industrial Accidents in Oil Sector, USW Charges The United Steelworkers (USW) today urged the oil industry to monitor safety conditions at refinery construction sites in light of yet another death in the industry yesterday of a contractor on the Motiva Enterprises expansion project in Port Arthur, Texas.
• April 16, 2010 | USW Another Serious Refinery Fire Prompts USW to Renew Call for Better Process Safety The United Steelworkers (USW) said today that Wednesday’s fire at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge, La., refinery that injured one employee and two contractors demonstrates the urgency of the union’s call for greater attention to process safety within the refining sector.
• April 14, 2010 | USW Refiners Still Weak on Process Safety, Charges USW The United Steelworkers (USW) disputes the oil industry’s claim that oil refineries are doing a lot to address safety issues. “If this is such a safe industry, why did six workers die as a result of the April 2 explosion and fire at Tesoro’s Anacortes, Wash., refinery?” asked USW Vice President Gary Beevers, who heads the union’s oil sector. “Why do we see accidents, releases and near misses almost daily?
• April 13, 2010 | MSNBC Gerard on MSNBC about worker safety: the slaughter must stop USW International President Leo W. Gerard talked with Ed Schultz about what he called the slaughter of workers because of unsafe conditions such as those at a Texas refinery and a West Virginia coal mine. Click here to watch.
• April 13, 2010 | USW Sixth worker dies after refinery explosion A sixth worker has died after the tragic April 2 refinery explosion in Washington. Click here for more.
• April 12, 2010 | USW 2007 USW Report Warned of More Refinery Accidents The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the refinery industry has failed to learn from past disasters and that its 2007 report, Beyond Texas City: The State of Process Safety in the Unionized U.S. Oil Refining Industry is more relevant than ever in light of the April 2 Tesoro explosion and fire that killed five workers and critically injured two others.
• April 06, 2010 | USW USW Criticizes Oil Industry’s Approach to Health and Safety The United Steelworkers (USW) today condemned remarks made by oil industry trade associations in the aftermath of the Tesoro refinery explosion and fire April 2 in Anacortes, Wash., that killed five and severely injured two others. Click here for more.
• April 03, 2010 | USW USW Expresses Deep Sympathy to Families, Fellow Employees of Those Killed, Injured in Tesoro Explosion The United Steelworkers (USW) union expresses its deep sympathy to the families and co-workers of the employees killed and severely injured in the explosion and fire that occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on April 2 at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.
• March 11, 2010 Safety Notice on Hydrofluoric Acid Hydrofluoric acid, also known as HF, is a deadly corrosive chemical that is used as a catalyst by some oil refineries to make high-octane gasoline. When it releases into the air, it can form a deadly plume that can travel for miles.
• February 25, 2010 | USW USW supports striking Mexican miners The USW continues its support of striking Mexican miners. Click here for more.
• February 22, 2010 | USW USW Health Insurance Tool Kit Updated with Latest Obama Plan
• February 12, 2010 Safe Refineries, Secure Jobs, Healthy Communities Campaign As part of our mobilization to get a safer workplace, oil locals are distributing to their members a series of handbills relating to health and safety. Download the handbills from this website to make extra copies for distribution.
• February 12, 2010 | USW USW Black History Month Blog: Manufacturing the great equalizer In a special Black History Month blog by USW International President Leo W. Gerard and Vice President Fred Redmond, the leaders say that the youth of today need to lead a revolution for manufacturing jobs, which will help everyone in our nation prosper. Click here for more.
• January 27, 2010 | Workers Uniting Global union protests invite of British National Party to white supremacist meeting In a letter sent this week to the Westin Hotel, Workers Uniting expresses deep anger about the decision to allow a British National Party leader whose views are so offensive to so many to address a white supremacist conference on its premises. Click here for more.
• January 26, 2010 | USW Info for USW members, locals wishing to donate to Haiti Click here for information about how to donate to the Steelworkers Charitable Fund to help the victims of the terrible earthquake in Haiti as well as info about Union Plus' pledge to match donations.
• January 26, 2010 | USW USW President to FOX News: Campaign Finance Ruling Very Troubling USW International President Leo W. Gerard in an interview with FOX News last night discussed the troubling Supreme Court ruling regarding corporate campaign contributions. Click here for more.
• January 26, 2010 | USW VIDEO: USW President on FOX: 'Cadillac' tax bad for workers, bad politics USW International President Leo W. Gerard appeared recently on Fox Business Network to talk about why a so-called "Cadillac" tax to pay for health insurance reform is not only bad policy, but bad politics. Click here to watch.
• January 22, 2010 | AFL-CIO Trumka: Working class revolt wake-up call for more action on jobs, health care AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says in a new video message that the election in Massachusetts symbolizes a working class revolt that should be a wake-up call for all politicians that working families want more. Click here to watch.
• January 21, 2010 | USW USW, Others Call for Reform of Federal Toxic Chemical Law The USW, Learning Disabilities Association, Cancer Institute, and the PA Nurses today called for an overhaul of federal toxic chemical law to reduce the level of toxic exposures to workers, families and children. Click here for more.
• January 19, 2010 | USW USW members, children eligible for Union Plus scholarships The deadline is approaching for Union Plus scholarships that are available for USW members and their children. Click here for more info.
• January 13, 2010 | Workers Uniting Global Union Challenges Aggressive Behavior of Crown Holdings Workers Uniting, the global union in the UK, USA and Canada, has written to the chief executive officer of Crown Holdings to challenge the company’s aggressive behavior towards some of its employees around the world. Click here for more.
• January 13, 2010 | USW Standing strong in Canada: 6 months on the line for Vale Inco workers Our sisters and brothers in Canada are marking the 6-month anniversary of the strike at Vale Inco by filing an bad-faith bargaining complaint against the company. Click here for more.
• January 13, 2010 | USW USW Offers Support, Solidarity after Devastating Earthquake in Haiti The USW today responded to the devastating earthquake in Haiti by offering condolences, solidarity and $20,000 from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. Click here for more.
• January 12, 2010 | AFL-CIO NEW VIDEO: AFL-CIO President: Nation in crisis needs political courage AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. that the economic crisis and the decline of the nation’s middle class “cries out for political courage.” Click here for more.
• January 12, 2010 | USW Tell Congress: Don't Tax Our Benefits Today is a national call-in day to tell Congress not to tax our hard-earned health insurance benefits. Please plan to partipate and urge others to do the same! Click here for more info.
• January 12, 2010 | USW USW Confident WTO Dispute Panel Will Uphold U.S. Tire Action USW International President Leo W. Gerard responded to the World Trade Organization decision to launch an investigation into President Obama’s decision to impose tariffs on surging Chinese tire imports. Click here for more.
• January 11, 2010 | National Labor Committee 8 more Bangladesh workers die in ship explosion Eight more workers in Bangladesh were burned to death on December 26, 2009, when the ship they were dismantling exploded. Click here for more details.
• January 08, 2010 | USW EPI, others debunk 'Cadillac' tax myths and mistruths There are so many myths and mistruths flying around about the so-called "Cadillac tax" on health insurance benefits. The bottom line: the tax is bad for working families and for reform. Click here for more info.
• January 06, 2010 | USW USW updates info for laid-off members The new year brings new information about COBRA and other benefits for members who have unfortunately lost their jobs. Click here for the latest.
• January 05, 2010 | Workers Independent News NEW AUDIO: WIN airs report about USW's trade fight Click here to hear a WIN report about the USW's reaction to recent duties against the Chinese for violating trade rules.
• December 22, 2009 | USW Evaluate the 15th Civil and Human Rights Conference If you attended the USW's recent Civil and Human Rights conference, we want to hear from you. Click here to find out how you can do an online evaluation.
• December 22, 2009 | USW More than chicken soup: USW members demonstrate for real health care reform USW members were among demonstrators who encouraged local residents to remind Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Holden that America needs more than chicken soup when it comes to health care security. Click here for more.
• December 21, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO: USW President on Vale Inco strike: We're fighting for our community USW International President Leo W. Gerard appeared today on Canada's BNN to discuss the strike at Vale Inco, talking about how the union is fighting for the community and for workers around the world. Click here to watch.
• December 17, 2009 | USW New report refutes claims that health care excise tax would not hurt middle class A new report by the CWA shows just how bad an excise tax on health care benefits would be for the middle class. Click here for more.
• December 16, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO: USW President on direction of health reform: 'I'm angry as hell' USW International President Leo Gerard appeared on MSNBC and expressed the anger many Steelworkers are feeling about how the health insurance reform debate is going. Click here to watch and to find out how you can fight back.
• December 15, 2009 | USW Showing solidarity with our Sisters, Brothers on strike against Vale Inco Please click here to learn how you can help show solidarity and support for our fellow USW members who are on strike against Vale Inco in Canada.
• December 09, 2009 Chemical Safety Board Recommendations Fail to Address Overall Safety of Refinery, Community The United Steelworkers Union issued the following statement on the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s recommendations concerning the July 19, 2009 explosion and fire at the CITGO refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas ... read more
• December 09, 2009 Chemical Safety Board Recommendations Fail to Address Overall Safety of Refinery, Community The United Steelworkers Union issued the following statement on the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s recommendations concerning the July 19, 2009 explosion and fire at the CITGO refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas ... read more
• December 04, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO: USW President Plays Major Role in White House Jobs Summit USW International President Leo W. Gerard played a major role in the White House jobs summit. He says he's optimistic, but the real work has just begun. Click here to see a video.
• November 23, 2009 | Workers Uniting U.S. study prompts transatlantic campaign to prevent deaths in paper industry A recent increase in workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the paper industry may have been brought on by employers trying to increase profit margins at the expense of health and safety, the world’s first global union said as it embarks on a transatlantic investigation of the industry. Click here for more.
• November 21, 2009 USW Issues Statement on Valero Refinery Closure in Delaware City Valero announced today that it was permanently closing its Delaware City, Del., refinery because of “financial losses caused by very poor economic conditions, significant capital spending requirements and high operating costs.”
• November 19, 2009 | USW Serious concerns from working families about Senate health proposal The impending Senate vote on health insurance reform is a good step towards progress, but working families have some serious concerns about the Senate proposal. Click here to find out how you can help.
• November 19, 2009 | USW Support our brothers and sisters at Vale; sign petition today Some 3,500 brothers and sisters remain on strike in Canada. Please show support today by signing an online petition that fights the vicious attack against Vale workers. Click here for more info.
• November 10, 2009 United Steelworkers Union Holds Community Educational Forum, Press Conference in Corpus Christi on Dangers, Alternatives to Hydrogen Fluoride Use in Refineries The community educational forum will include presentations by an expert on hydrogen fluoride and a vendor offering an alternative chemical process. A question and answer session will follow the program. The press conference is open only to the press and will give journalists an opportunity to ask questions of most of the speakers.
• November 09, 2009 | Workers Uniting Global union shows solidarity for striking Vale workers; you can help, too Members of Workers Uniting showed solidarity with striking Vale workers by picketing a London bank were Vale executives were giving a presentation. You can support our brothers and sisters, too. Click here for more.
• November 07, 2009 | USW Historic House action on health care giant step, but not final step The historic House vote on health insurance reform is a giant leap, but we still have a long way to go in this fight. Click here for the latest.
• November 06, 2009 | USW Ahead of historical health insurance reform vote, Congress must hear from us A historic vote to change our nation's health care system appears on the horizon in the U.S. House. It's imperative USW members call their members of Congress to make sure our voices are heard. Click here for more info.
• November 06, 2009 | USW USW, paper companies applaud ITC decision to investigate unfair trade case Appleton Coated LLC, NewPage Corp., and Sappi Fine Paper North America – together with the USW - applauded the U.S. International Trade Commission for its unanimous vote to proceed with a full investigation of coated paper imports from China and Indonesia. Click here for more.
• October 23, 2009 | USW Tell Congress to say no to taxing health insurance benefits There's a bill in Congress right now that proposes a 40 percent excise tax on some health insurance plans, including many union plans. Please click here to learn what you can do to help stop this.
• October 20, 2009 | USW USW answers common member questions about health insurance reform A series of successful conference calls on the issue of health insurance reform resulted in several good questions from USW members. Click here to read those questions and answers.
• October 13, 2009 | USW USW Mourns Loss of Brother from Arizona USW member Robert Stewart died recently on the job. Click here to read his story.
• October 09, 2009 | USW USW Affirms Report on China Glass Industry Subsidization as Job Threat The United Steelworkers applauded the Alliance for American Manufacturing for a report just released on the significant job losses of U.S. glass workers and the massive increase of Chinese government subsidies that have exacerbated a damaging flood of imports to the industry. Click here for more.
• October 09, 2009 | USW USW lauds legislation that would create jobs; invest in workers; rebalance trade The USW lauded new legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter that would support our nation’s workforce and strengthen the competitiveness of American industries globally, while enhancing the administration’s ability to reduce foreign trade barriers. Click here for more.
• October 09, 2009 | USW USW to host conference call for members on health insurance reform USW will host a series of conference calls next week to talk to members about the important health insurance reform fight. Click here for more details.
• October 08, 2009 | USW For USW members, health care fight is personal Click here to read some inspiring and heartbreaking stories from USW members talking about why for them, the fight for access to health care is personal.
• October 08, 2009 | Workers Independent News NEW AUDIO: USW works for safety at refinery startup Click here to hear a report from Workers Independent News about the USW's safety efforts at a refinery in Texas.
• October 07, 2009 | USW National Call-In Day for Health Care TODAY - Click here to call Congress now! USW members are asked to call their members of Congress and ask them to support health insurance reform that helps working families, not insurance companies. Click here fo rmore.
• September 28, 2009 | USW NEW PHOTOS: Sights from the G-20 Click here to view a photo slide show featuring photography from Steve Dietz capturing some of the sights during the recent G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. You'll see some USW members marching for jobs and justice.
• September 24, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO: USW Joins National Day of Action for Health Insurance Reform USW International Vice President Fred Redmond spoke at a rally for health insurance reform on the National Day of Action. Click here for more, including video.
• September 23, 2009 | USW USW President to NY Times: Standing up to China is standing up to bully International President Leo W. Gerard gives it to them straight in today’s New York Times in an article about the USW’s fight against China’s predatory trade policies: “They cheat in every area,” he said. “If the bully keeps beating you up, is it so bad to stand up to him?” Click here for more.
• September 18, 2009 | USW Civil and Human Rights Conference: Building Strength and Power Through Action The 15th annual Civil and Human Rights conference is themed "Building Strength and Power through Action." Click here for more information.
• September 16, 2009 | USW NEW PHOTOS: Pictures from the AFL-CIO Convention USW leaders have been front and center at the 2009 AFL-CIO convention. Click here for a photo slideshow.
• September 16, 2009 | USW USW praises election of Trumka, team to AFL-CIO leadership Delegates to the AFL-CIO convention today elected Richard Trumka to succeed the retiring John Sweeney as the new president of the 11.5 million-member labor federation. The USW applauded the election. Click here for more.
• September 15, 2009 | USW USW President leads AFL-CIO actions on economy, green jobs USW International President Leo W. Gerard is among the nation's labor leaders overseeing action today involving the economy and green jobs. Click here for more about the ongoing AFL-CIO convention.
• September 12, 2009 | USW USW President: AFL-CIO Convention Opportunity to Rally Activists USW International President spoke to a gathering ahead of the AFL-CIO convention, saying union members and leaders must get involved in critical issues such as trade, health care and economic recovery. Click here for more.
• September 11, 2009 USW Incident Report: We Need Your Help The USW is documenting the daily incidents that take place at your worksites: pump trips that lead to unit upsets or flaring; leaks in pipes, vessels and tanks whether they are product or utility leaks; safety system activations including PRV (process relief valve) relief on a process unit or tank whatever the cause.
• September 11, 2009 | USW Real impact of flood of Chinese tires: Jobs lost Until it closed last year, Goodyear’s Tyler, Texas, plant made the type of consumer tires that are the subject of the trade case filed by the USW against China with the U.S. International Trade Commission. Click here for more.
• September 11, 2009 USW Applauds EPA Rejecting Portions of Texas Clean-Air Permitting Program The United Steelworkers (USW) Union today applauded the EPA for its proposal to disapprove parts of the Texas clean-air permitting program that do not meet federal Clean Air Act requirements.
• September 11, 2009 | USW USW teams up with Steelers QB to donate school supplies The United Steelworkers joined Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch this week to donate school supplies to kids in need. Click here for more info.
• September 02, 2009 | USW USW's Redmond at rally: Health insurance reform civil rights issue USW International Vice President Fred Redmond was a featured speaker at an Organizing for America health insurance bus tour stop in Pittsburgh today. His message: health care for all is a modern civil rights issue. Click here for more, including photos.
• August 11, 2009 | USW Online tool kit, other info available for important health insurance debate There is perhaps no greater issue facing Americans right now than reforming the health insurance system and revitalizing our economy. Click here for the latest information so you can stay involved.
• August 07, 2009 | USW USW officials, members testify before Trade Representative in effort to get relief for tire industry USW International President Leo W. Gerard and International Vice President Tom Conway were among those who testified today before the U.S. Trade Representative in an effort to save tire jobs. Click here for more.
• August 06, 2009 | USW National Oil Bargaining Local Union Settlement Agreements Posted Online The Spring 2009 national oil bargaining local union settlement agreements have been posted. Click here for more info.
• August 04, 2009 | USW USW Withdraw from Talks with American Petroleum Institute, Oil Industry The United Steelworkers withdrew from talks today with the American Petroleum Institute and the oil industry because of safety issues. Click here for more.
• July 12, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO & PHOTOS: Thousands march for free choice, say it's civil rights issue This weekend, thousands took to the streets in Arkansas to march for a civil rights issue - the right for workers to bargain for a better life. Click here for the latest photos and videos.
• July 09, 2009 | RealNewsNetwork.com and Workers Independent News USW President Supports Single Payer Healthcare USW International President Leo W. Gerard has been speaking about the need for single payer health care reform. Click here to view video and hear audio.
• July 07, 2009 | Union Privilege New Grants Help Union Members Save for College The new Union Plus College Savings Grant offers $500 to qualified union members who open a new tax-free 529 college savings or prepaid tuition plan. Click here for more info.
• June 12, 2009 | USW Gerard awarded honorary doctorate degree USW International President Leo W. Gerard has a new title - doctor. Click here for more.
• June 09, 2009 | USW 'Buy American' not the problem for Duferco USW International Vice President Thomas Conway writes in a letter to the editor that "Buy American" is not the source of problems for Duferco, as the company and media have tried to portray. Read more here.
• June 02, 2009 | USW Members: Thinking about running for office in your community? Take our survey The USW wants to help members who are considering to run for local elected offices in their communities, or who already hold office. Click here for more info.
• May 13, 2009 | USW Bus tour rolls on, spreading message about need to save jobs The "Keep It Made in America" bus tour continued to roll on Tuesday and Wednesday, spreading the word about the importance of good jobs. Read more here.
• May 11, 2009 | USW NEW VIDEO: Bus Tour Day 1: Workers urged to keep faith, march on D.C. On Day 1 of the "Keep It Made in America" bus tour, USW International President Leo W. Gerard was joined by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others who made the case for why manufacturing jobs are key to our communities. They said workers around the nation are prepared to take to the streets in defense of the American Dream. Click here for more.
• May 11, 2009 | USW USW's 'Keep It Made in America' Tour Kicks Off More than 7.2 million paychecks are dependent on U.S. autos, including health care, education, service, retail and other jobs. That’s the message workers, community leaders, elected officials, labor leaders, and others will bring to an 11-state, 32-city “Keep it Made in America” bus tour. Read more here.
• May 01, 2009 | USW Illinois Steelworkers protest plant: 'Run it, or sell it' is message Busloads of USW members laid off from the ArcelorMittal plant in Hennepin, Ill., protested with a simple message: "Run it, or sell it." Read more here.
• April 28, 2009 | USW Workers' Memorial Day: Honoring the dead, fighting hard for the living As another Workers' Memorial Day passes with thousands of workers killed and millions injured on the job, a new AFL-CIO report shows that the government has done little to improve safety conditions at work. Read more here.
• April 24, 2009 | USW New Video: USW members featured on CNN's Lou Dobbs USW members from Granite City were featured on CNN's Lou Dobb's this week. Click here to watch.
• April 20, 2009 | AFL-CIO Help change America: Take our health care survey Click here to find out how to participate in a new health care survey and help make our voices heard!
• April 08, 2009 | USW Hundreds Rally for Free Choice at Specter’s Harrisburg Office Several hundred workers spent part of their day on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, rallying at the federal building in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to demand that Senator Arlen Specter stand up for working families and support the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more here.
• March 26, 2009 | The New York Times Report: Labor Agency Failing Workers The New York Times reports that the Department of Labor under George W. Bush repeatedly failed the workers it was supposed to protect. Read more here.
• March 25, 2009 | USW While USW brothers, sisters are laidoff, steel pipe made in India If ever there were a case for why "Buy American" is sorely needed, it's the story of our sisters and brothers in Granite City. Some 2,800 of them are laid off from a steel mill. Meanwhile, a huge pipeline being built just miles away is using steel made in India. Click here for more.
• March 16, 2009 United Steelworkers Members Ratify Sunoco Philadelphia Refinery Contract United Steelworkers Union (USW) members of Local 10-1 overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract March 13 that includes the National Oil Bargaining pattern agreement and no layoffs, pay cuts or givebacks.
• March 13, 2009 Sunoco Marcus Hook Workers Ratify Three-Year Agreement United Steelworkers Union (USW) members of Local 10-901 overwhelmingly ratified a new, three-year contract with Sunoco, Inc. last night that includes the National Oil Bargaining pattern wages, benefits and contract language and resolution of local issues.
• March 12, 2009 | USW New Video: The truth about Employee Free Choice Rachel Maddow of MSNBC breaks down the truth about the Employee Free Choice Act and the real reason why opponents are working so hard to block it. Watch the video here.
• March 10, 2009 | USW Obama: Only option off the table is to do nothing about health care President Obama recently gathered a group in our nation's Capitol to discuss one of the most important issues of our time: health care reform. Read a first-hand account here.
• March 02, 2009 | USW Economic Recovery bill offers help with COBRA for laid-off workers The economic recovery law signed by President Obama offers help for those who have recently been laid off to continue health insurance. Read more here.
• February 28, 2009 United Steelworkers Union Gives 24-Hour Strike Notice to Sunoco United Steelworkers Union (USW) Locals 10-1 from Philadelphia and 10-901 from Marcus Hook, Pa., gave a 24-hour strike notice to Sunoco, Inc. around noon EST today. If an agreement is not reached by noon EST Sunday, March 1 when the contract expires, workers from both refinery locals will go out on strike.
• February 24, 2009 BP Refinery Jobs Opportunities Posting for BP Refinery Jobs expires on February 28, 2009 for internal applicants. The following Maintenance Craft job opportunities have been posted and are now available
• February 03, 2009 Steelworkers Union Reaches Tentative Pattern Agreement with Oil Industry The United Steelworkers (USW) union reached a tentative agreement today with the lead company for the oil industry that becomes the minimum standard of wages, benefits and working conditions for all National Oil Bargaining local union negotiations in the U.S.
• January 30, 2009 How National Oil Bargaining Works The National Oil Bargaining (NOB) program is a modified form of pattern bargaining that is rooted in the power of the rank and file. It has been in existence for 43 years and has served the membership well. It begins with the National Oil Bargaining conference held four months prior to the expiration of the national pattern agreement.
• January 22, 2009 2005 Extension of National Oil Bargaining Pattern Settlement with Oil Industry Representatives from the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) negotiated a three-year extension of the National Oil Bargaining pattern settlement with Shell Oil Company, which negotiated on behalf of the oil industry.
• January 22, 2009 2002 National Oil Bargaining Settlement
• January 22, 2009 National Oil Bargaining: 1965-2005 The development of National Oil Bargaining first began in 1965. Six weeks after the election of former Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers President A.F. “Al” Grospiron in that year, a combination of aggressive action and shrewd timing enabled the union to achieve a common expiration date of December 31, 1966, for collective bargaining agreements covering most workers in the oil industry.