CHESTERTON, Ind. — One hundred ninety-six motorcycles and their riders lined up outside United Steelworkers Local 6787’s hall here at the start of the Poker Run to benefit locked-out BP refinery workers and their USW Local 7-1 Strike and Defense Fund Aug. 8.
At a short meeting minutes before the run started, USW Local 7-1 President Eric Schultz spoke about the support they’ve received. “Thank you for all your financial support and food donations, and for your solidarity on the picket line,” he said. “Most of all, it has been an inspiration.” Then there was a roar as the bike run began.
The Poker Run was sponsored by the Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation. “We organized this to tell people that the fight against BP’s lockout is still going on,” Steven Minchuk, the federation’s president, told this Militant worker-correspondent just before the run started. The 800 members of Local 7-1 were locked out by BP bosses March 19 after the workers voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s “last, best, and final” contract offer. The union’s contract expired Jan. 31.
The union has offered to return to work while negotiations continue, but the company answered with an ultimatum — either accept the union-busting contract the membership had already rejected by 98%, or remain locked out.
“They’ve been out for five months. They’ve got a lot of support, but it needs refreshing. That’s why we’re sponsoring this run,” Minchuk said. “BP is worth billions, taken out of workers’ pockets. Their pay was good for this region, and their wages and benefits boosted what everybody else around here made. With 800 BP workers and their families locked out without pay, everybody in Northwest Indiana hurts.
“If the company wins what they want, they’ll get rid of the union,” he said. “And a lot of other working people will be forced to say goodbye to comparatively high wages. That’s why supporting these union members against BP’s illegal lockout is so important.”
Billy Lowe, vice president of USW Local 6787 at the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill here, told me that he thought the turnout for the day’s activities was important. “The local’s participation increases the awareness of our members. Workers need to stand together.” The USW is currently in negotiations with the major steel companies, including Cleveland Cliffs. USW Local 6787 organizes 3,600 members there.
This mill was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company in 1962 next to the port in Burns Harbor. After Bethlehem filed for bankruptcy in 2003, the mill ended up in the hands of ArcelorMittal. In 2020 Cleveland Cliffs bought it. The mill has the capacity to turn out 5 million tons of raw steel a year.
Lowe told me he gives an update at every monthly union meeting on the refinery workers’ progress in winning support. “This is important,” he said, “because our members know that someone will have our backs in our fight for a decent contract.”
How the Poker Run works
Participants in the Poker Run have to stop at five locations set up along the route and sign in. If they stop at all five places, they end up with a five-card poker hand. The riders with the best poker hand and the worst win a prize. The rest of the registration fees went to Local 7-1.
In addition, a number of local unions, businesses and some politicians bought sponsorships. These included USW Locals 1010, 1011, 1066, 2695, 6787 and 9462; Teamsters Local 142; Boilermakers Local 374; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 153; and the Indiana AFL-CIO. Some made additional donations, others paid for the beverages, wings and pizza that everyone enjoyed at the last stop, Buddy & Pal’s Place in Crown Point.
Many participants were union members, some were not. I sat at a big table with Samantha Carderas, who came to the Poker Run with a friend. She’s not in a union. “But I think the unions are important and I support them,” she said. “I’ve never been to a picket line, but I’m thinking of joining one at BP.”
Schultz chaired the wrap-up, where the prizes were handed out and raffle ticket sales announced. He thanked all who had turned out again, encouraged everyone to keep up their solidarity, and said, “It’s an inspiration when you join our picket line.”
You can help the oil workers win this fight! Bring donations of food and household items to the union hall at 2045 Schrage Ave. in Whiting. Invite the union to speak before your union, school, church or other organizations. Pick up some leaflets and posters to get out the word. Call (219) 659-1181 for more information.
Join the picket lines at BP gates, which are up 24/7. Just stop by the union hall to get a ride.