USW 7-1 presses BP to restart bargaining at Whiting refinery

United Steelworkers Local 7-1 is asking British Petroleum to return to negotiations over the locked-out Whiting, Indiana refinery workforce, offering Sept. 14 and 15 as meeting dates. The union says the talks could move forward with a federal mediator, but only after BP first shows willingness to compromise on jobs, wages and seniority rights.

Why it matters: - The Whiting refinery lockout has left about 800 local workers without pay for nearly six months. - The dispute affects jobs, wages and seniority rights at British Petroleum’s last union refinery in the United States. - The outcome could shape whether the company reaches a settlement or keeps relying on replacement labor.

What happened: - United Steelworkers Local 7-1 asked British Petroleum to return to bargaining on Sept. 14 and 15. - The union also said Tuesday that it is willing to meet with a federal mediator as part of the negotiations. - USW 7-1 President Eric Schultz said the union wants a serious attempt to work through the issues before moving to mediation. - Schultz said the union remains prepared to bargain in good faith on a deal that protects workers’ jobs, wages and contractual rights.

The details: - More than 98% of union members rejected BP’s demand to cut jobs, wages and workplace rights earlier this year. - BP locked out roughly 800 union workers in March after that vote. - BP has been using non-union workers, many brought in from Gulf states, to operate the refinery. - The union said some replacement workers have posted social media videos that violate safety standards and refinery policies. - Schultz said mediation could become a way to create the appearance of progress without producing a settlement. - Schultz said the union does not want another process that only gives BP more time while workers remain unpaid. - The union said BP is seeking to eliminate dozens of local jobs, cut pay for hundreds of workers and strip bargaining and seniority rights. - The union said BP’s approach mirrors tactics used in earlier negotiations at other unionized Gulf Coast refineries. - The union said British Petroleum has already delivered billions in profits to shareholders in 2026, and the CEO has vowed to deliver even more this year.

Between the lines: - The union is trying to keep pressure on BP while leaving the door open to mediation if direct talks fail. - By setting a short window for bargaining first, USW 7-1 is signaling that it wants movement on core contract terms, not another extended delay. - The lockout has become a community issue in Northwest Indiana, with residents supporting workers through food drives, donations and local resolutions.

What's next: - BP and USW 7-1 could meet on Sept. 14 and 15 if the company agrees. - If those sessions do not produce progress, the union says it may move to federal mediation. - The union says workers want to return to the refinery and end the lockout. - More information is available at supportoilworkers.com.