Linden mayor demands safety assurances from Phillips 66 amid refinery lockout
Mayor Derek Armstead wants details about emergency response capabilities as Phillips 66 says the Bayway Refinery remains fully staffed and operating safely.
More Stories
Linden Mayor Derek Armstead is demanding assurances from Phillips 66 that emergency response capabilities remain fully operational at its Bayway Refinery as a lockout of nearly 400 union workers continues.
In a statement Wednesday, Armstead raised concerns about the absence of experienced union employees who ordinarily serve on the refinery's internal emergency response teams, including fire brigades and oil spill response personnel.
"The people of Linden deserve to know that their safety is not being compromised because of a labor dispute," Armstead said.
The mayor called on Phillips 66 to provide the city with a comprehensive briefing on emergency response staffing, fire suppression capabilities, hazardous materials response procedures and coordination with local emergency services.
In a statement to News 12 Wednesday, Bayway Refinery Vice President Donald Susanen said the refinery and Linden Terminal continue to operate with properly trained and qualified personnel.
"The refinery remains fully staffed with no reduction in roles or responsibilities," Susanen said.
Phillips 66 said there were no reported operational issues or safety incidents associated with its operations during the transition following the expiration of the contract extension or in the days since.
READ MORE: Nearly 400 union-represented employees of Linden refinery locked out as contracts expire
READ MORE: Lockout at key New Jersey refinery raises concerns about fuel prices and plant safety
Nearly 400 employees represented by Teamsters Local 877 were locked out Monday afternoon after a contract extension expired. The union's previous contract expired Oct. 1.
Phillips 66 said the company and union had reached a tentative agreement, but union members voted against ratifying it during the extension period. The union previously confirmed the rejected agreement to News 12.
Susanen said the company remains committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement with employees.
Armstead, who expressed support for the locked-out workers, said Linden's municipal emergency responders should not be expected to compensate for any reduction in the refinery's internal emergency response capabilities.
The Bayway Refinery has the capacity to process approximately 275,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to Phillips 66 figures cited by the mayor's office.
Armstead urged Phillips 66 to return to the bargaining table and reach an agreement that would bring the union workers back to their jobs.
