Steelworkers strike expands to more oil refineries

The United Steelworkers union expanded its strike this weekend, walking out of of three more refineries and a chemical plant.

The Houston Chronicle reports that workers walked out of the Motiva Port Arthur refinery on Saturday, adding to the strike which affects 11 refineries and petrochemical plants in and around Houston, Texas. 

{mosads}The Motiva refinery is a venture between Shell and Saudi Refining. 

Workers walked out of two more Motiva refineries and a Shell chemical plant in Louisiana. 

“The industry’s refusal to meaningfully address safety issues through good faith bargaining gave us no other option but to expand our work stoppage,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

On its website, Motiva said the company “has activated its contingency plans” and will transition from union-represented employees to “fully trained and qualified Motiva employees.”

The strike first began on February 1, and is entering its fourth week.