United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8-719 says that the terms and conditions of employment Marathon Petroleum unilaterally implemented do not promote safe staffing levels to safeguard the refinery’s employees and the surrounding community.

The local’s contract with Marathon expired on January 31, 2012. The company accepted the National Oil Bargaining Pattern Agreement the USW negotiated with the industry, but disputes arose over local issues involving work schedules, vacation allotments and re-alignments of departments that result in job duty and schedule changes.

“All these changes are Marathon’s attempt to reduce our staffing levels,” said USW Local 8-719 President Bret Queen. “We strongly believe this further reduction in our work force will jeopardize the safety of refinery employees, the environment and the surrounding community ... more