Union strikes at nine U.S. oil, chemical plants for new pact

Source: Reuters

BY ERWIN SEBA

Union leaders called strikes on Sunday at nine U.S. refineries and chemical plants in a bid to pressure oil companies to agree to a new national contract covering workers at 63 plants.

The walkouts, the first held in support of a nationwide pact since 1980, target plants that together account for about 10 percent of U.S. refining capacity. The discord comes as plunging crude prices force oil companies to slash spending.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) said Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the lead industry negotiator, halted talks after the union rejected a fifth proposal from the company.

"Shell refused to provide us with a counter-offer and left the bargaining table," USW International President Leo Gerard said. "We had no choice but to give notice of a work stoppage."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/01/us-refineries-labor-strikes-idUSKBN0L514B20150201