To: All Whiting Employees
Today the Whiting Refinery provided Union leadership with a full, comprehensive, settlement offer that includes proposals that have been tentatively agreed-upon and those very important to the future of the refinery and that have been extensively bargained since the start of the negotiations on January 5 but remain open. This comprehensive offer is not a “last, best and final offer” but is designed to focus the outstanding issues into one, package-style, proposal.
In terms of the comprehensive offer, there are two topics we would like to provide clarity on:
Six-Year Contract Term: The Whiting Refinery has proposed a contract term of 6 years to fully facilitate the implementation of the Company’s proposed Operations, Maintenance and Lab job classifications, qualification/competency-based job progressions, upskilling of current employees and the implementation of supporting processes.
An extended contract length would allow the time needed to fully assess, train and upskill employees as well as reduce disruptions and allow the business and its employees to fully realize the benefits of these changes that will help deliver a safer, more efficient refinery. We also believe this extended stability is important for our employees and the business. An extended term would give our employees certainty in wage rates, benefits and working conditions over a longer period and would also reduce disruptions and help ensure industrial stability over the next six years as it creates distance from broader industry negotiations.
Base Wages and Increase: The Whiting Refinery has offered National Oil Bargaining Pattern (NOBP) annual wage rate increases effective February 1 each year of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, 4% and a guarantee of NOBP wage increase percentages in years 5 and 6. In addition, a lump sum bonus in the amount of $2,500 was offered. The NOBP wage rate increases will be applied to the proposed new job classifications and wage structure. For example, effective February 1, 2026, the proposed wage rate table will have a 4% increase applied to the fully qualified Technician classifications as noted.