Refinery Workers Strike for Safety
March 1, 2015
(This article first appeared in the March-April 2015 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
On Feb. 1, for the first time in 35 years, the United Steel Workers Union (USW) announced work stoppages at oil refineries in five states to protest hazardous conditions facing workers as well as residents who live in nearby communities.
Unsafe conditions are caused by insufficient staffing, excessive overtime, and almost daily fires, emissions, leaks and explosions that put tens of thousands of people in danger. There has been an increase in respiratory, cardio and other serious health problems, in the aftermath of accidents caused by unsafe practices at refineries, the union reports.
The APWU supports the strikers and calls on members to stand with USW members on picket lines in solidarity.