To: All Whiting Employees
The purpose of this Employee Information Bulletin (EIB) is to provide an overall status of negotiations.
As of this afternoon, the Company and the Union have had roughly 30 formal bargaining sessions over the past four weeks. Additionally, we have had multiple sidebars, subcommittee meetings, and other small group discussions in an effort to reach a fair and equitable contract. To be responsive to the Union’s interests, the Company has made more than a dozen comprehensive counter offers on the Union’s proposals. The Company has also Tentatively Agreed (TA’d) to two of the Union’s proposals, which includes increases to the safety boot and overtime meal allowances.
While the Union has made only five counter offers to the Company’s proposals, the Company has continued to spend considerable time moving discussions forward and focusing on elements that are critical to improving the safety and competitiveness of the Refinery, such as the proposed enhanced learning process, upskilling of current team members and the new Technician progression model across Operations, Maintenance and the Lab. Again, while the Union continues to come to the table and discuss, they have yet to agree to a single Company proposal.
On Friday afternoon, January 30, the Company proposed a 28-day contract extension to the current 2022 to 2026 collective bargaining agreement. This extension would provide our hourly employees, business continuity plan personnel, and the Company with stability while we continue to bargain and seek to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, the Union notified the Company, less than an hour after the extension offer, that the Union rejected the extension. We are very disappointed that the USW rejected the ability to provide stability, certainty and security to our employees (both USW represented and non-represented).
We will continue to bargain in good faith and to make as much progress as we can on the important topics that are in the best interest of our employees, the Refinery and the community.
Please remain focused to ensure we have continued safe operations of the Refinery.