MARTINEZ, Calif. — Locked-out refinery workers at the Marathon refinery here got a boost this week when Union Pacific rail crews stopped delivering tallow, a main ingredient of the biofuel the company produces, into the facility. The members of United Steelworkers Local 5 have been on the picket line 24/7 for over three months.
Workers picketing Aug. 2 near the rail tracks and North refinery gate where the tallow is brought in were full of praise for the rail workers. They told the Militant that they had decided to extend their picket line to that gate July 27 and the rail workers honored it. “For a week the train hasn’t stopped here at all,” picket Greg Belcher said. “It goes right on through.” Near the picket tent was a large sign, hung where passing train crews can read it, saying, “Tee up a fair contract. No union busting!”
The 120 USW refinery workers went on strike April 27 after the company refused to agree to a four-year contract that would expire on the same day as fellow refinery workers in the USW’s National Oil Bargaining Program. They also demanded an end to forced overtime, which can extend as much as four to six hours after their regular 12-hour shift.
The Marathon bosses refused to budge and responded with an all-out attack on the union. Then, five weeks into the strike, the company said it was considering contracting out the jobs of 46 striking workers.
In the face of this, a sizable number of workers told the union they were ready to return to work, even if their original demands weren’t met. The union proposed to the company that they unconditionally return to work, with negotiations to continue. The company responded by locking the workers out. The plant is being run at a minimal level by managers, engineers and other strikebreakers.
Workers told the Militant that negotiations are slated to resume Aug. 4.
When warehouse workers, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 6, went on strike at C&H Sugar in nearby Crockett, the locked-out refinery workers joined their picket line. When the C&H workers went back to work, they brought a load of water, snacks and other supplies for the USW picket lines.
More solidarity is needed! Visit the picket lines at the intersection of Solano Way and Arnold Industrial Way in Martinez, and at the North gate. Send contributions to the strike fund to USW Local 5, P.O. Box 349, Martinez, CA 94553-0034.