Paul Kaczocha at People’s World reports Energy Giant BP - once known as British Petroleum, has locked out 900 United Steelworkers (USW)-represented Employees at its Whiting, Indiana Oil Refinery, the largest in the Midwest. Negotiations have been underway between the Workers and management since the Union’s contract ended on February 1st. USW Local 7-1 President Eric Schultz said the lockout followed a proposal the Union made: “We presented BP with an offer that included accepting several of their proposals, only for them to reject that after just four hours and serve us with a lockout notice.” BP has been seeking a six-year contract and 150-day notice before a Strike or lockout, saying that “industrial peace” would bring stability to its operations. The USW says the Union will not accept BP’s proposals, including cutting 100 Union jobs, eliminating all Union jobs in its Environmental Department, cutting pay for most job classifications and stripping away bargaining rights. Said Schultz: “They continue to demand we cut more than (100) jobs, accept pay cuts to nearly all positions and give up our bargaining rights. That’s just unacceptable. We are prepared to keep fighting for a fair agreement that protects local jobs, protects wages and protects the rights of our Members.” Management has already hired replacement Workers and solicited the services of a Union-Busting Company called Starcon, Union Officials said.

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