Nearly 400 union-represented employees of Linden refinery locked out as contracts expire
The spokesperson for Phillips 66 said that the extension covering the employees expired at 4 p.m. on Monday.
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Nearly 400 union workers were locked out of Phillips 66’s Bayway Refinery and Linden Terminal on Monday.
Dozens of workers gathered outside the refinery Monday afternoon carrying signs reading "Locked Out" and "Pay Up" as picketing began at the facility's gates.
According to Teamsters Local 877 President Jeff Sanford, the union's contract with Bayway expired on Oct. 1. While both sides agreed to a temporary extension, union members voted against the company's latest contract offer. When the extension expired at 4 p.m. Monday, union employees were locked out.
"We want to try and continue to negotiate and try and get an agreement that's worthy to bring out for ratification for our membership," said Sanford.
Union members said they are seeking changes to the company's attendance policy, a larger share of company profits and improvements to work schedules.
"The members want their slice of the pie," said Sanford. "Many of our folks will work extended shifts, 13 days on, 13 nights on before a single day off."
Sanford expressed concerns about staffing during the lockout, noting that union members serve in several emergency-response roles at the facility.
"We have oil response team. We have multiple fire brigades," he said. "All of those brigade team members are now outside the refinery unfortunately. So, P66 has it. Hopefully, they can maintain it and keep it safe for the communities."
Phillips 66 said employees supporting operations during the lockout include "supervisors, engineers and technical experts with many years of experience."
Union leaders told News 12 that negotiators are expected to return to the bargaining table Tuesday morning. In the meantime, members plan to continue picketing around the clock at all three refinery gates.
A spokesperson for Bayway Oil Refinery said that the company is “disappointed by this development.”
“Phillips 66 plans to maintain safe operations at the Bayway Refinery and Linden Terminal with properly trained and qualified personnel to meet all customer requirements. Personnel supporting operations include supervisors, engineers and technical experts with many years of experience working in refinery and terminal operations and are fully trained to operate the facilities safely,” the company wrote in a statement.
The union also sent a statement to News 12 about the situation.
"It is up to this company to do the right thing and end the lockout by coming back to the table and offering a contract that shows their hardworking employees the respect and dignity they deserve," a spokesperson wrote.
