Chevron California refinery workers ratify contract; ending strike

A Chevron fuel station signal is seen in Del Mar, California, April 25, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photograph

HOUSTON, Might 28 (Reuters) – Putting union employees at Chevron Corp’s (CVX.N) Richmond, California, refinery voted on Saturday to ratify the most recent contract supplied by the corporate, ending a 10-week strike with out attaining their purpose of further pay to counter rising well being care prices, stated sources conversant in the vote.

About 500 employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) union Native 12-5 started the strike on March 21 in a dispute over pay to match the rising value of well being care over the previous few years within the San Francisco Bay space the place the 245,271-barrel-per-day refinery is positioned.

Chevron has stated hanging employees would return to work within the weeks following the contract’s ratification. At the least 60 employees had crossed the picket line and returned to the refinery earlier than a tentative settlement was reached on Thursday. learn extra

The sources stated the members of Native 12-5 ratified the contract by a slim margin on Saturday.

Spokespeople for each side weren’t instantly accessible on Saturday.

The contract ratified on Saturday incorporates the phrases of the nationwide settlement reached between USW Worldwide negotiators and refinery house owners in February, which offers a 12% pay enhance over 4 years, in line with the sources.

The strike started over long-simmering frustration amongst union members rising prices for his or her share of healthcare.

To make up the distinction, Native 12-5 sought a 5% pay enhance along with the pay elevate within the nationwide settlement. Chevron didn’t supply the native pay enhance earlier than the strike. It was not a part of the ratified contract.

The USW filed expenses on Might 13 towards Chevron with the U.S. Nationwide Labor Relations Board alleging the corporate had modified the phrases of employment, engaged in coercive actions, together with surveillance, and refused to cut price with the union.

Chevron has saved the refinery in operation with managers, supervisors and employees who crossed the picket line.

Reporting by Erwin Seba;
Enhancing by Sandra Maler

: .