USW – All Points of View

Hi,

We support the efforts of the USW union to improve the wages and benefits as well as working conditions of the striking refinery workers. Jobs in refineries are dangerous and require a high level of skill. As we know from the BP disasters, mistakes can cause catastrophes for the surrounding communities and the environment. These workers deserve to be compensated well and treated fairly. Failure to bargain fairly in these negotiations will only reflect the Shell Oil Company’s lack of regard for the workers and the communities in which their enterprises are located.

That’s why I created a petition to Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company, which says:

“We support the striking Steel Workers at the refineries in Texas City, Texas. Their struggle is the struggle of working people in this country and around the world.”

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-support-the-usw-strike?source=c.em.mt&r_by=8638452

Thanks!

03 Feb 2015

USA

The World Federation of Trade Unions representing 90 million workers in 126 countries across the worlds expresses its internationalist solidarity to the workers in US refineries who are on strike struggling for better salary, safety at work and improved collective agreement.

In their first wide-scale strike since 1980, workers have stopped work in many refineries since Monday, February 2nd 2015 as per the call of the United Steelworkers Union on the basis that negotiations between US refiners and union have failed to reach an agreement by Sunday.

The deal would form the baseline for additional talks between companies and local unions, and cover 30,000 workers at 230 refineries, oil terminals, pipelines, and petrochemical plants.

USW represents workers at 65 fuel-making plants around the U.S. which it says account for nearly two-thirds of the countryâ€™s refining capacity.

According to USW the plants where workers will strike include: LyondellBasell Industriesâ€™ plant in Houston, Texas; Royal Dutch Shell PLCâ€™s complex in Deer Park, Texas; Marathon Petroleum

Corp.â€™s sites in Galveston, Texas City and Catlettsburg, Ky; and three Tesoro facilities in Washington and southern California.

The World Federation of Trade Unions joins its voice with the struggle of the workers in the oil refineries in all parts of production despite of working relation status and calls the Employers and Management to accept their fair demands.

The WFTU reaffirms its commitment for the unity of the workers struggle organized or unorganized for the end of contractualization, for better working conditions, health-care and better salaries for all as well as safety at work-place.

THE SECRETARIAT