The United Steelworkers have rejected the latest offer from Shell for a contract covering oil refinery workers, saying that this offer contains "minimal movement" from earlier ones. About 4,000 workers are on strike in California, Kentucky, and Texas, affecting nine plants. However, management has brought in scab labor to keep the plants running.

A broader strike remains possible and "would threaten to disrupt as much as 64 percent of U.S. fuel output." According to the union as the strike began:



"This work stoppage is about onerous overtime; unsafe staffing levels; dangerous conditions the industry continues to ignore; the daily occurrences of fires, emissions, leaks and explosions that threaten local communities without the industry doing much about it; the industry’s refusal to make opportunities for workers in the trade crafts; the flagrant contracting out that impacts health and safety on the job; and the erosion of our workplace, where qualified and experienced union workers are replaced by contractors when they leave or retire," Beevers added.

In addition to safeguards against workplace fatigue and a reduction in the use of non-union contractors, the union is looking for bigger raises than in its last contract.

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