United Steelworkers union members picket outside Exxon Mobil's oil refinery amid a contract dispute in Beaumont, Texas, U.S., May 1, 2021. Exxon locked out the plant's about 650 union-represented employees citing fears of a strike. Picture taken May 1, 2021. REUTERS/Erwin Seba/Beaumont, Texas, refinery led to Saturday’s first lockout at the 118-year-old plant, according to people familiar with the matter.
The oil company on Saturday barred about 650 USW Local 13-243 members from the complex, citing the union's refusal to call for a vote on its contract proposal. Exxon also feared the workers might strike, officials said.The two sides mostly disagree on Exxon's call for revising seniority rules, the people said. Refinery workers spend their entire careers on one processing unit, gaining seniority preferences for scheduling, hours and job stability, they said.
Exxon "has bargained in good-faith since the parties started negotiating in January," King said. Future talks "will be determined jointly by the company and the union."