United Steelworkers (USW) union members picket outside Exxon Mobil's oil refinery amid a contract dispute in Beaumont, Texas, U.S., May 1, 2021. Exxon locked out the plant's about 650 union-represented employees citing fears of a strike. REUTERS\/Erwin Seba\/File Photo<\/p>\n
HOUSTON, July 6 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) and United Steelworkers (USW) said little progress was made in talks on Tuesday between company and union negotiators to end a nine-week lockout of 650 workers at a Beaumont, Texas refinery and lube oil plant.<\/p>\n
Exxon made counter offers to proposals offered by USW Local 12-243, which represents workers at the 369,024 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery and adjoining lube oil plant, said Hoot Landry, USW International representative.<\/p>\n
\"They made five counters, one was moving in the right direction,\" Landry said.<\/p>\n
Exxon spokesperson Sarah Nordin confirmed the meeting.<\/p>\n
\"The company's bargaining team met with the union today,\" Nordin said. \"After discussion, both sides remain far apart. The company's current offer remains available for a vote by the membership.\"<\/p>\n
Exxon locked out the workers on May 1, citing the risk of a strike.<\/p>\n
The USW has said the companys last proposal requires its members to give up long-standing seniority and would create a separate contract for workers in the lube oil plant from that for workers in the refinery.<\/p>\n
Exxon has said the proposal would give it flexibility to be profitable in low-margin environments.<\/p>\n
Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Stephen Coates<\/p>\n
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link: <\/p>\n
Little progress seen in Texas refinery lockout talks - Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" United Steelworkers (USW) union members picket outside Exxon Mobil's oil refinery amid a contract dispute in Beaumont, Texas, U.S., May 1, 2021. Continue reading