DETROIT – Workers at the Marathon refinery in Detroit began striking early Wednesday morning.
The union previously voted by 95% to authorize a strike. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, workers began picketing outside the Detroit refinery. More than 200 employees are expected to be involved in a strike that will continue 24/7 until an agreement is reached.
“The company has denied every proposal up and until finally they settled on finally giving the healthcare -- they wanted to take their healthcare away -- they’re still stuck on a livable wage, which they’re not asking for much, they haven’t had a raise increase since COVID. And the company is making $17.1 billion a quarter. And they don’t make fuel to sell to us, who buy it every day, if you don’t have men and women like this going to work every day,” said Michigan Teamsters president Kevin Moore.
Steve Hicks, President of Teamsters Local 283, said Marathon has been unwilling to bargain fairly with the Teamsters. He said key points for this strike are wage increases, union security, and talks about subcontracting jobs. Workers want better wages and a wage that matches inflation.
Marathon said that the company does not expect any supply disruptions.
“On the evening of Sept. 3, Teamsters Local 283 notified Marathon Petroleum that hourly employees represented by the union at our Detroit refinery intend to engage in an economic strike in support of the union’s bargaining proposals, effective Sept. 4, 2024. We are disappointed that the union has announced a strike. Marathon Petroleum and the union have engaged in collective bargaining since December 4, 2023, meeting regularly for the last nine months to achieve a new labor agreement to replace the prior agreement that expired on January 31, 2024. The company has negotiated in good faith, but the union thus far has been unwilling to agree to acceptable terms for an agreement and, instead, has announced its intention to strike in support of its bargaining positions.
“A safe and orderly handover of the facility to trained and qualified team members has been planned with the union for tomorrow. We are fully prepared and have appropriate plans in place to continue safely operating the facility with experienced Marathon employees. The safety of our employees, contractors and the community remains our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining our vigilant focus on compliance, reliability and care for the environment as we continue producing transportation fuels for the region; we do not anticipate supply disruptions.”
Media Relations, Marathon Petroleum Corp.
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