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Aruban Oil Workers Join United Steelworkers; Open Contract Negotiations with Valero Energy Corporation Today
For Immediate Release September 18, 2006
(San Nicolas, Aruba) - The Independent Oil Workers Union of Aruba (IOWUA) and the 850,000-member United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Rubber, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), jointly announce IOWUA’s affiliation with USW, which became effective September 15.
The 320-member IOWUA represents workers at Valero Energy Corporation’s (NYSE: VLO) oil refinery in San Nicolas. The union has represented workers at the refinery since 1961. Valero acquired the refinery from El Paso Corporation in 2004.
IOWUA (renamed IOWUA-USW Local 1961 as a result of the affiliation) also today formally began negotiations with Valero for a new collective working agreement. The current agreement covering IOWUA-USW Local 1961 members at Valero expires October 31.
The USW will be providing technical support, training and other support and assistance to IOWUA-USW Local 1961 during and after the negotiations. IOWUA-USW Local 1961 has also become a member of the Valero Council, a USW-led body made up of local unions representing Valero workers.
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