Phillips 66 Refinery Workers Authorize Strike

Members of Teamsters Local 877 at the Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery in Linden, New Jersey, have voted by a 92 percent margin to authorize a strike. The 385 process and mechanical workers are seeking a new contract that includes higher wages, stronger benefits, and protection of existing contract language.

The union states that Phillips 66 management has proposed changes that could compromise safety, including alterations to qualification requirements and a significantly extended training period for new employees. Management's proposed absence control policy, which could lead to discipline for illness-related absences, is also a point of contention.

Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement are ongoing, with the current contract set to expire on October 1. Union leaders have indicated that a strike would be a last resort if a fair agreement cannot be reached.

The Bayway Refinery is the largest oil refinery on the U.S. East Coast. The union emphasized the essential nature of the workers' jobs in maintaining the region's energy infrastructure and stated their commitment to securing a contract that reflects the importance of their work and ensures safety standards.