Union extends talks with Marathon, averting strike at refineries
Source: Reuters
By Erwin Seba
January 31, 20267:46 PM CSTUpdated 6 hours ago
HOUSTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The United Steelworkers union said late on Saturday it would extend talks with Marathon Petroleum (MPC.N), opens new tab, averting a strike by 30,000 workers at U.S. refineries and chemical plants.
The rolling 24-hour extension means the current contract, which had been set to expire at 12:01 a.m. ET (0501 GMT) on Sunday, remains in effect until either the union gives a 24-hour notice to strike or Marathon issues a 24-hour notice to lock workers out.
Since negotiations began a little over a week ago, the union has rejected at least five proposals from Marathon. The last proposal on Saturday would have given refinery and chemical plant workers a 14% wage increase over a four-year contract.
Marathon is the lead negotiator for 26 U.S. refiners and chemical companies, including Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), Chevron (CVX.N), and Valero Energy (VLO.N), The USW represents workers at plants that account for two-thirds of U.S. crude oil refining capacity.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/union-marathon-meeting-strike-deadline-looms-us-refineries-2026-02-01/