Whiting Refinery: Work Stoppage Looms as Talks Drag

DAVENPORT, FL (DTN) – BP’s 435,000 bpd Whiting, Indiana refinery faces the risk of work stoppage at any time as contract negotiations between the company and United Steelworkers remain unresolved, statements released on Friday (2/6) by the oil major and union indicate.

BP says it remains focused on reaching a fair and equitable agreement with the union, disputing claims that talks have stalled. The company added that it has held 42 documented bargaining sessions since January 5, also meeting in informal settings to discuss proposals from both sides.

United Steelworkers Local 7-1, the division of the union representing the workers at Whiting, claimed it has been told by BP that the company was not obliged to follow the 2026 National Oil Bargaining Program. BP has presented a counterproposal that included base wage cuts across all job classifications, said the union, which has advised its members to prepare for work stoppage if no tentative agreement is reached.

The Whiting refinery is the largest in the Midwest and supplies gasoline, diesel and jet fuel into the Chicago and Group 3 markets.

Any disruption at the plant could have implications for refined product supplies across the Midwest. Prolonged work stoppage, especially, could tighten regional supply balances and increase reliance on pipeline transfers and shipments from the Gulf Coast.