04/03/2026
Big business is coming for blue-collar workers—and it’s happening right here in Northern Indiana.
Right now, over 2,500 union members are locked out between all three Locals. BP under USW 7-1 and at the same time, an impending labor dispute with NIPSCO, involving USW Locals 12775 and 13796, threatens to deepen the strain—not just on workers, but on our entire region.
Northern Indiana isn’t just any place. It has the highest union density in the state. This region was built by working people—by men and women who show up every day to do tough, often dangerous jobs that keep our industries running and our communities strong.
And yet, while workers are being asked to accept less, corporate leadership continues to take more.
BP just appointed a new CEO, with a base salary of over $2.1 million and an expected total compensation of $15.4 million. This comes after BP reported over $54 billion in profits in 2025.
At NIPSCO, the CEO earns $12.78 million a year—enough to cover a $1,000 monthly bill for 12,780 families across Northwest Indiana.
Let that sink in.
Because the workers at these facilities aren’t numbers on a spreadsheet. They are our neighbors. They are the people coaching our kids’ teams, volunteering in our communities, and supporting local businesses. They are the backbone of this region.
They’re not asking for luxury. They’re asking for fairness.
They want safe workplaces—because their jobs carry real risks.
They want healthcare—so they can take care of themselves and their families.
They want a livable wage—so they can keep up with the rising cost of living.
And they deserve that.
Because asking working-class people to settle for less while profits soar and executive pay skyrockets isn’t just unfair—it’s insulting.
What’s happening now doesn’t just affect union members. It affects all of us. When companies hold out against workers, they’re not just cutting wages or benefits—they’re putting safety at risk, weakening our local economy, and undermining the very communities they depend on.
Northern Indiana was built on the strength of its workers. And if those workers are pushed down, the entire region feels it.
So this isn’t just a labor issue. It’s a community issue. It’s an economic issue. It’s a matter of dignity and respect.
We have to stand together—because when working people stand united, they don’t just protect their own livelihoods… they protect the future of their communities.
In Solidarity ,
NIALF President Steven A Minchuk
