Marathon's Detroit Refinery Union Workers Go On Strike

SEATTLE (Oil Monster):  Teamsters members working at Marathon Petroleum's Detroit refinery have gone on strike after months of pay- and safety-related negotiations with the company did not yield results, the company said on Wednesday.

"We are fully prepared and have implemented plans to continue safely operating the facility," a Marathon spokesperson said in a statement.

The company does not anticipate the strike will cause supply disruptions.

Workers called for an economic strike following a nine-month negotiation and mediation with the company to reach a new labour agreement. The prior contract expired in January.

Teamsters local 283 represents 273 workers at the Detroit refinery, 95% of whom authorised the strike, the union said.

Marathon did not immediately say how many people it employed at the refinery.

Marathon's Detroit refinery has a crude oil refining capacity of 140,000 barrels per day, processing sweet and heavy sour crude oils into products such as gasoline and distillates.

Courtesy: www.reuters.com