The United Steelworkers has approved a national pay and benefits agreement, avoiding a strike that could have hit about 30,000 workers at 26 companies running U.S. refineries and petrochemical plants. Marathon Petroleum negotiated the pattern deal for refiners and chemical producers. Marathon spokesperson Jamal Kheiry said: “We are pleased that Marathon and the USW have successfully negotiated a pattern agreement,” as locals move toward ratification. The four-year pact raises hourly pay 15% total, with annual increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, and 4%, plus a $2,500 signing bonus. Local disputes could still trigger site-specific stoppages, including at BP’s Whiting refinery, where BP said it is not obligated to follow the pattern.
