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USW votes not to ratify ExxonMobil's latest proposal
United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-243 voted Oct. 19 not to ratify ExxonMobil's latest proposal in contract negotiations, extending the ongoing lockout, which is well into its fifth month.
USW announced the results following the vote.
ExxonMobil responded in a statement, confirming the lockout would continue and warning that the company would reduce the current offer if not ratified by Nov. 1.
“The company has learned that today’s Union vote on our offer has not passed,” ExxonMobil stated in a bulletin Oct. 19. “We are disappointed that the company’s enhanced offer was not ratified.
“Our offer reflected the outcome of months of bargaining, and included the Union’s requests to expand support for security and seniority. This was the best offer the company could make under the circumstances. As explained in the offer, because it was not ratified, the offer will be reduced effective Nov. 1. This has been a long process and we know many employees are eager to return to work…
“If this offer is not ratified by Nov. 1, 2021, the company will reduce the amended offer as follows: removal of the $500 ratification bonus; elimination of wage increases for any employees in 2021; (and) removal of the right to grieve/arbitrate employee resignations.”
ExxonMobil reported that rumors have been circulating indicating that locked-out workers would be returning to their jobs at the refinery on Nov. 1 no matter the results of the vote. They dispelled those rumors in a bulletin on Oct. 17, stating only ratification of a new agreement or decertification of the Union would end the lockout.
“As we have told the Union, the conditions which would end the lockout remain the same: the company will end the lockout when we have a signed, ratified agreement. This has not changed, and anything said to the contrary is untrue. Additionally, if employees were to decertify, the company would return employees to work.”
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is currently considering “an employee-initiated petition” to decertify USW 13-243, reportedly requiring signatures of at least 30% of represented employees, “which includes both dues paying and non-dues paying members.” ExxonMobil reported in a bulletin on May 27 that the company could also “withdraw recognition of a Union with evidence that 50% or more of the represented workforce no longer support the Union.”
USW has indicated its members support ongoing collective bargaining and that it intends to continue negotiations with ExxonMobil until an agreement is reached.