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 The United Steelworkers union (USW) said in a message to members
and news media including Reuters that the latest proposal from lead
oil company negotiator Royal Dutch Shell Plc failed to improve
safety at refineries and chemical plants in an "enforceable way."
The union also told workers not on strike to be prepared to walk out
in the coming days.
"New offer fails to improve safety in enforceable way," the USW said
in the text message. "All units instructed to reject and prepare to
join (unfair labor practices) strike if called upon. Union at table
ready to bargain."
A USW spokeswoman confirmed the message, but said the union would
have no further comment.
A Shell spokesman said the two sides had met on Thursday.
"We continue to be focused on reaching a mutually satisfactory
agreement," said Shell spokesman Ray Fisher. "We remain committed to
maintaining safe operations as part of the normal course of
business. Out of respect for the bargaining process, we are unable
to comment further on today’s activities."
Earlier this week, the union's lead negotiator, International Vice
President Gary Beevers, told Reuters that safe staffing levels at
refineries and chemical plants were a sticking point in the talks.
More than 5,000 workers at 11 plants, including nine refineries
accounting for 13 percent of U.S. production capacity, remained on
strike on Thursday. They are seeking a new three-year contract
governing safety and pay.
The strike widened on Feb. 6 when workers at two refineries operated
by BP Plc were told to walk off their jobs the following day.
Only one refinery has shut down due to the strike.
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Tesoro Corp's 166,000-bpd plant in Martinez, California, was
scheduled for a partial shutdown for a planned multi-unit overhaul
prior to the strike. Company officials decided to idle the entire
plant after the walkout began.
Tesoro officials have said production will not resume for the
duration of the strike.
The USW is seeking a three-year, industrywide pact that would cover
30,000 workers at 63 U.S. refineries that together account for
two-thirds of domestic capacity.
Companies have called on temporary replacement workers to keep
plants running at nearly normal levels.
(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
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