Negotiations continue between Teamsters, Marathon Petroleum
The southwest Detroit refinery continues to operate with non-union workers during contract talks.
Members of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 283 walk the picket line outside of the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Southwest Detroit.
Members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 283 have been on strike at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in southwest Detroit for over two weeks.
Nearly 300 workers walked off the job on Sept. 4 after months of negotiations failed to lead to a new deal.
In addition to standard cost of living increases, workers are seeking improved union protections.
“[The current contract] allows Marathon to very easily use subcontractors instead of union labor, skilled trades labor,” said Jared Jackson, a skilled tradesman and shop steward with Local 283. “We want them to use union skilled labor when they’re hiring people. It should be union folks coming in here.”
Since last weekend, a federal mediator has been involved with negotiations — with more expected today.
In a statement from Marathon media relations, the company said they have negotiated with the union “in good faith” throughout the bargaining process.
The contract expired at the end of January 2024.
Workers are receiving strike pay, and supporters — like UAW Local 600, Teamsters Locals 337 and 299 — have dropped off some supplies and food to support those on the picket line, but workers say more is always appreciated.
Despite union workers walking off the job two weeks ago, the refinery hasn’t stopped production.
“They bring up scabs from out of town — Texas, Louisiana — tons of other refineries,” Jackson said. “They bring up salaried folks who are non-union, running a skeleton crew.”
The workers assigned for emergency response and air quality monitoring are all on strike — leaving new workers to handle those duties.
Jackson says that’s concerning given the close proximity of some homes in the area.
“It’s obviously not as safe without us — with us out here.”
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) just approved an increase in production for the plant. The permit changes will allow Marathon to operate the refinery at “full capacity,” and set new pollutant emission caps for the facility.
Several residents — including some workers at the refinery — expressed concerns about the capacity increase at a public hearing hosted by EGLE in May.
