WHITING, Ind. — Ever since they were locked out by BP over three months ago, the 800 members of United Steelworkers Local 7-1 here have been on the picket line 24/7 and won a lot of support. Visitors to the picket line and the Local 7-1 union hall are greeted by locked-out workers saying, “One day longer!” They are determined to stay strong until they push back the bosses’ union-busting demands they voted down by more than 98%.
While this Militant worker-correspondent was on the picket line June 20, an area worker pulled over to ask how contract talks were going. A picket explained they are at a standstill. Negotiations continue, but aren’t going anywhere as BP bosses continue to refuse to budge from their “last, best and final” contract offer.
This would cut more than 100 union jobs, slash wages and demands the union be required to file a 150-day notice before they can call a strike. The company’s proposal is for a six-year contract, which would take BP’s Whiting refinery out of the national pattern bargaining group of other refineries.
More than 100 small businesses have put up signs supporting the locked-out workers and are giving discounts to USW members and their families. Almost every day local restaurants deliver meals for pickets at the union hall.
The union is involved in several events this summer to build support for the locked-out workers and raise funds for their Strike Fund. The workers don’t receive unemployment benefits. The union is organizing a solidarity rally — “Tell British Petroleum: End the Lockout” — June 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the company’s corporate headquarters, 30 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago’s Loop. They have organized bus rides for those who need them, leaving from the Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center at 4001 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago. To make a reservation, email the USW at officemanager@USW7-1.com.
The union is also building a contingent in the Whiting July 4 parade, starting at 10 a.m. Immediately afterward there will be a cookout at the union hall. For reservations, call the union hall at (219) 659-1181.
Three punk rock bands have volunteered to put on a benefit concert — Union Solidarity Against the BP Lockout — Aug. 21 at Avenue 912, 202 W. Ridge Road, in Griffith. Doors open at 6 p.m. The $20 door charge goes to the USW 7-1 Strike Fund. And the concert is free for USW members. The bands are The Effigies, The Bollweevils and The Rumble.
Join the picket line! Help build and attend these events! Send a contribution to the USW Local 7-1 Strike Fund. Donations and volunteer pickets are welcome, just stop by the union hall at 2045 Schrage Avenue in Whiting. To learn more, visit www.supportoilworkers.com.