Negotiations Update from Chris DellaFranco – January 21, 2026

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Hello, my name is Chris DellaFranco, and I am the bp Whiting refinery Vice President. We have been actively negotiating in good faith with our Local United Steel Workers union since January 5th of this year for a new collective bargaining agreement. The current agreement expires on January 31st.

I recognize that this is a time of high anxiety and stress for our employees and their families. Though union negotiations are a normal part of our business, and typically occur every 3 to 4 years, it does not change the fact they are stressful. Thankfully, we have always come to an agreement with our USW partners.

The Whiting refinery has been a staple of economic development here in Whiting, Hammond, and East Chicago for the past 135 years. The refinery staff includes 2,700 employees and contractors and supports over 70,000 jobs in Indiana.

Our goal is to continue to make advancements in safety and competitiveness. This will ensure that the refinery can provide good jobs and energy for the Midwest for generations to come.

Over the years, our business has changed, our competition has changed, and therefore we must change to remain competitive in a range of market conditions, even during low refining margin environments.

The improvements that we are seeking are not new or unique within the industry. By improving our competitiveness, we will be better positioned for another 50-plus years. This will translate into great jobs for future generations.

We believe in safety excellence in everything we do — for the good of our employees, contractors, and the community around us.

We hope that we can reach an agreement prior to contract expiration .

Please visit our website at www.whitingnegotiations.com. There you will be able to access information including employee information bulletins, as well as frequently asked questions and answers.

Thank you for your time and we will have more updates as the negotiations progress.