Strike sign projected on outside of Chevron refinery in Richmond, Calif. early Monday, March 21, 2022. (Photo courtesy of United Steelworkers Local 5 Richmond)
Oil workers are on strike Monday morning at Chevron’s Richmond refinery, according to an Instagram post by the United Steelworkers Local 5, which represents the striking workers.
The post said just before 8:45 a.m.:
“Tired of Chevron’s greed. Tired of being forced in. Tired of Chevron’s incompetence. Tired of putting profits before people. Tired of the disregard for safety.”
The post continued:
“Tired of losing. No longer. We are taking a stand against Chevron. We will not back down. We will not give in.”
According to the USW Local 5, the workers planned to strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday following a breakdown in contract talks between the workers and Chevron. The negotiations affect more than 500 refinery workers.
The union said they encouraged Chevron to return to the bargaining table and it did not, prompting workers to strike over unfair labor practices.
The previous contract expired Feb. 1 and workers were working on rolling 24-hour extensions.
The United Steelworkers reached an agreement with the oil industry on Feb. 25 over wages and working conditions but individual units bargain over local issues before ratifying their own contracts. The Local 5 Sunday voted down Chevron’s “last, best and final” proposal.
In a separate Instagram post, USW Local 5 asks community supporters and organizations to “stand with strikers” Monday between noon and 6 p.m. at Gate 3, located on the corner of Castro and Mills streets.
Nik Wojcik of SFBay contributed to this report.
Last modified March 21, 2022 10:36 am
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