Steelworkers union accuses LyondellBasell of refusing to negotiate
Source: Houston Chronicle
By Sarah Scully
The United Steelworkers union, whose members have been striking at LyondellBasell's Houston refinery for 12 weeks and counting, has complained to federal regulators that LyondellBasell improperly declared an impasse in contract negotiations with the union.
The union last week filed unfair labor practices charges with the National Labor Relations Board in response to a pointed open letter to employees from LyondellBasell management. The letter posted on the company's website said talks had stalled after the union voted overwhelmingly to reject what the company called its "last, best and final offer" on April 14.
"The refinery continues to operate and the company must move forward," head of refining Kevin Brown wrote. "Houston Refining has tried diligently for over three months to reach a deal with the USW negotiators, but the company's efforts have proved futile. Even with the help of a federal mediator, the union has taken an intractable stance. Negotiations are at an impasse."
He wrote that the company would move ahead to hire new workers under the terms of its final contract offer, a four-year pact that included pay raises that started at 2.5 percent and grew to 3.5 percent in the final year.
FULL story at link.
Photo: Gary Coronado, Staff United Steel Workers Local 13-227 members, employed by LyondellBasell Industries Houston, hold a strike claiming unfair labor practices at their headquarters Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, in Houston, Texas. ( Gary Coronado / Houston Chronicle )
Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Steelworkers-union-accuses-LyondellBasell-of-6227030.php
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this is why we need to have the Taft-Hartley Act repealed
I really hope that the current NLRB rules in the Steel workers rights on this issue, enough is enough---these oligarchs always whine that they are at a impasse
