End of Marathon Galveston Bay strike
uncertain ahead of vote
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[May 18, 2015]
LAMARQUE, Texas (Reuters) -
Acceptance of a new contract proposal to end a three-and-a-half- month
strike by workers at Marathon Petroleum Corp's Galveston Bay, Texas,
Refinery was uncertain on Sunday, one day ahead of a vote on the offered
pact, workers said.
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Several workers leaving a briefing that United Steelworkers union
(USW) Local 13-1 conducted on Sunday in the LaMarque, Texas, High
School auditorium said they would vote against it.
"It sucks," said one worker, who declined to provide his name.
"We've been out too long to let them win."
The new contract proposal was developed by a federal mediator
working with Marathon and Local 13-1 to end the work stoppage, which
began on Feb. 1.
The 1,100 striking workers are scheduled to vote by secret ballot on
Monday at their union hall in Texas City, Texas. About 600 members
attended the Sunday briefing, union officials said.
A Marathon spokesman declined on Sunday to discuss the upcoming
vote.
The refinery has continued to operate with temporary replacement
workers since the strike began.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/May/18/images/ads/current/logan-county-pest-control-SDA-2015.png) The work stoppage by workers against the Galveston Bay Refinery has
become especially bitter as the union has said the company has
continued to make proposals that would eliminate job security as
well as roll back safety policies put in place following an
explosion that killed 15 workers in 2005, when the plant was owned
by BP Plc.
The strike at the Galveston Bay refinery began as part of the
largest walkout by U.S. refinery and chemical plant workers in 35
years. The work stoppage spread to 15 plants, including 12
refineries that account for one-fifth of U.S. capacity.
Since an agreement on national issues including pay and benefits,
was reached between the USW and U.S. refinery owners on March 12,
strikes at 13 plants have ended after resolving outstanding local
issues.
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A USW Local 13-1 official said those attending the briefing on
Sunday seemed disappointed by the proposal.
"I think most of those in the meeting thought it was a poor offer,"
said Larry Burchfield, vice president of Local 13-1, after the
briefing, which was closed to the media.
The new proposal is based on an offer the company made in April that
was rejected by Local 13-1.
Workers leaving the meeting said the proposal could cost 100
employees their jobs in coming years and further eliminates safety
policies.
In addition to the Marathon Galveston Bay strike, workers are
continuing a work stoppage at the Toledo, Ohio refinery co-owned by
BP and Husky Energy.
(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Eric Walsh)
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