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BP, USW Local 7-1 Return to Bargaining Table Amid Whiting Dispute

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BP (BP) and the United Steelworkers Local 7-1 will resume contract negotiations on Friday as both sides remain divided over labor terms, BP said Wednesday in an emailed statement.

In an email to, a BP spokesperson said the company and union leadership have agreed to meet on Friday to continue the negotiations.

"USW 7-1 has agreed to bp's request to return to the bargaining table on Friday, May 22 at 9:00 am (CST)," the spokesperson said.

He added that BP hoped for "meaningful dialogue to reach an agreement for a sustainable future for our employees, the refinery and the community."

BP and the union remain divided over the company's proposed six-year contract, which includes a 13% wage increase, modernization bonuses, job restructuring measures and revised strike provisions.

The union has opposed plans to eliminate about 65 union positions and change seniority-based safety rules, while BP has said it will not return to the previous agreement due to operational concerns.

The labor dispute at BP's 440,000-barrel-per-day Whiting refinery in Indiana has raised concerns about Midwest fuel supplies, although BP said the facility is continuing to operate safely with contract workers and without immediate production disruptions.

Price: $45.49, Change: $-0.65, Percent Change: -1.41%

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