Workers At Whiting BP Plant Go On Strike
WHITING, Ind. (CBS) -- Workers are picketing at oil plants across the country including in Whiting, Indiana. They tell CBS 2's Jeremy Ross the strike is not about wages, but safety.
The United Steelworkers or USW says about 1,100 of their members are striking, including operators, lab technicians, and maintenance workers.
This is taking place as the industry negotiates a work contract with union leadership accusing employers of unfair labor practices.
Workers say health and safety issues, fatigue, inadequate staffing levels are some of the issues, adding in the potentially volatile business of refining oil that can mean lives.
This is part of a larger effort as local workers join thousands of others already on strike at refineries in California, Kentucky, Texas, Washington and Ohio.
BP says, "It is disappointed that USW leadership decided to call a strike at both the Whiting refinery and BP Husky Toledo Refinery…We hope this strike will be as short as possible and for workers to return with a contract that ensures long-term prosperity for everyone."
It's unclear how long the strike will last, with workers planning to be outside the plant throughout the day Sunday. Talks are scheduled to resume next week.