BP (BP) Whiting refinery will resume talks with United Steelworkers Local 7-1 representatives on Monday, as both sides seek progress toward a new labor agreement, the company said Friday.
"We remain committed to getting our employees back to work and securing a ratified agreement is the way we do that," said Whiting refinery Vice President Chris DellaFranco.
"We have continuously reached out to indicate our readiness to meet for informal discussions, on-the-record negotiations, or formal mediated bargaining with the assistance of an independent federal mediator. It's a positive development that the union's elected representatives have agreed to resume talks," DellaFranco said.
The meeting will mark the first engagement since Governor Braun's office brought the sides together July 30, while their previous meeting took place June 16, 2026.
BP said it wants a mutually acceptable deal and will continue using dialogue and mediation to help advance negotiations.
The company proposed updated job structures and training programs to strengthen workers' skills while supporting safer and more reliable refinery operations.
BP proposed average pay gains of 13% over the first four contract years, followed by the National Oil Bargaining Program pattern in the last two years, plus a $2,500 ratification bonus and $5,000 to $7,500 payments for certain roles.
BP also proposed shifting limited work to qualified local service providers, affecting about 65 union employees, with many eligible for lump-sum payments equal to one year of base pay.
The proposed six-year agreement would provide greater stability through a 150-day industrial peace period before any strike or lockout after the contract expires.
BP announced in March that it would lock out Whiting refinery workers after United Steelworkers rejected an updated offer to settle the labor dispute, while BP said a separate group of BP employees would continue operating the refinery.
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