To: All Whiting Employees
This Employee Information Bulletin (EIB) provides information about an employee letter that was sent to USW-represented employees regarding the status of employees’ benefits in the event of a strike or lockout.
In response to various questions we have received, the Company mailed a letter to the homes of USW-represented employees on Friday, January 23. The letter explains the status of their employee benefits should a strike or lockout occur. If you do not receive the letter at home, you can ask your supervisor for a printed copy.
We recognize that this is a time of uncertainty, and our employees and their families may experience anxiety and stress. That is why we want to make sure our USW-represented employees, their families, as well as supervisors and managers, understand how employee benefits will be impacted in the event of a strike or lockout.
Changes in benefits coverage, like this, are very common throughout our industry during work stoppages. While it may be a difficult message for our employees, it is consistent with messages that other refineries have sent to union-represented employees who have been on strike, or locked out. It is also consistent within bp where other non-represented employees have been placed on a similar leave status. We encourage employees to carefully review this information and take necessary action should a strike or lockout occur.
If employees have questions about any details in the letter, please call the BP Benefits Center at 1-800-890-4100 or visit bp.com/benefitsatbp for more information.
As stated in prior communications, the Company’s goal has always been to avoid a work stoppage, to reach agreement before the collective bargaining agreement expires, and to ensure our employees continue to make the bp Whiting Refinery a competitive business for decades to come.