USW and Shell make some progress in refinery talks -sources
[HOUSTON] The United Steelworkers union (USW) has made progress on some issues in contract talks with Shell Oil Co, which is the lead negotiator for US refinery and chemical plant owners, sources familiar with the negotiations said on Monday.
Many tough issues remain to be resolved at the bargaining table, the sources said.
The sources declined to identify on which issues progress has been made or which remain to be resolved between the union negotiating on behalf of 30,000 refinery, chemical plant and pipeline workers and Shell Oil, the US arm of Royal Dutch Shell Plc
The union is seeking a pay increase of 8 per cent a year for each year of a three-year agreement that would take effect when the current contract expires on Feb. 1.
Shell has not identified any of its proposals in the first negotiations since a strike in 2015 when more than 7,000 workers walked off their jobs for several weeks.
Monday's message comes after the United Steelworkers said on Friday it had rejected a proposal from Shell for an automatic extension of negotiations when the contract expires.
In addition to the pay increase for workers, who on average earn US$40 an hour after four years on the job, the USW has said it is seeking improved standards to prevent fatigue as well as additional health and safety representatives, including at small plants.
The union also hopes to gain greater protection for pipeline workers traveling to remote locations and performing high-risk work.
Shell has been the lead company in contract talks for US union-represented refinery workers since 1997.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Energy & Commodities
BHP’s biggest rivals sit on the sidelines of Anglo M&A drama
ExxonMobil to take 18 to 24 months to hit full stride with Pioneer purchase
Oil settles down on US jobs data, steepest weekly loss in three months
Glencore Group nears deal for Shell’s Singapore oil refinery
Opec+ may need to tackle oil capacity conundrum next month
Gold flat ahead of US payrolls data, set for second weekly drop