USW 7-1

09/04/2026

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09/03/2026

We have again asked British Petroleum to return to the bargaining table.
We’ve even offered specific dates to meet, in hopes of finding common ground and reaching a fair agreement that works for our union members and for the London company.

If they again refuse to even consider our proposal or budge on their demand to eliminate dozens of local jobs, force hundreds of local workers to take pay cuts and give up bargaining rights, then we are open to federal mediation, as they’ve proposed.

But a federal mediator can’t force either side to change its proposals. It still requires both sides to bargain seriously and in good faith.
We are not interested in another process that simply gives British Petroleum more time, while we continue to go without paychecks.

We want to get back to work.
It’s time to end the lockout. It’s time to stop hurting local families. It’s time for a fair contract. ✊

USW 7-1 urges British Petroleum to return to bargaining, nearly 6mo after the London company locked 800 workers out of their jobs at the Whiting, Ind. refinery

09/01/2026

Millions in tax breaks. Billions in profits.
Yet British Petroleum STILL chooses to lock hundreds of American workers out of our jobs, demanding that we accept pay cuts and give up workplace rights that generations before us fought to preserve.
All so the London-based company can deliver more profits to their shareholders.

Thank you, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan, for proposing a bill that stands up for ALL American workers and hits corporations where it matters most to them – their wallets.
No one should get tax breaks from our local, state or federal government, then refuse to allow hundreds of local workers to earn a paycheck. ✊

https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-introduces-pro-work-act-prevent-companies-lock-out-workers-receiving

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan introduced the PRO-WORK (Preventing Revenue Opportunities for Workplace Lockouts and Retaliation) Act, which would prohibit corporations that lock out their workers from doing business with the federal government.

08/27/2026

British Petroleum has notified us of their interest in mediation.

Just 23 minutes later, they notified the media – confirming our concerns that it is just another in a long line of manufactured publicity stunts aimed at dividing our members and our community, with no real interest in negotiating.

Though we have repeatedly sent the London company requests for information, they only now got back to us with answers, because their negotiator said they were on vacation for the last two weeks – while we continue to go without paychecks.

As British Petroleum has raked in record profits for their shareholders over the last six months, they have refused to even consider a proposal that does not involve:
• Eliminating dozens of local jobs
• Forcing hundreds of local workers to accept pay cuts
• Union members giving up all bargaining and seniority rights that generations of oil workers fought to preserve

The company also notified the media of our recent meeting in Gov. Braun’s office – despite a clear request by his staff that those conversations remain confidential, in hopes of finding common ground. We have honored that request, while British Petroleum continues to ignore it, in favor of more manufactured publicity stunts aimed at dividing us.

The 800 men and women locked out of our jobs continue to hope that British Petroleum leadership – now that they’re back from their vacations - will take bargaining seriously, be open to negotiating a fair contract and allow us to again earn a paycheck.

08/25/2026

After pausing t-shirt sales to focus on storm cleanup, the store is back open until Sept. 11.

These shirts will not be available after that day and proceeds will help our families pay household and medical bills, as we reach nearly 6 months of being locked out out of our jobs by British Petroleum.

We thank you for showing solidarity! ✊

https://usw7-1.unionwebstores.com/

08/25/2026

Just a few weeks into being locked out of our jobs by British Petroleum, The Effigies, The Bollweevils and The Rumble said they wanted to help our families by stopping their summer tours for a fundraising concert at Avenue 912.
We can’t thank them enough – or all the union members, families and punk rock fans who came out, not to mention Avenue 912.
We’ve said it before, but we truly love being part of this community – and are grateful for the support everyone has shown us over the last 5-1/2 months. ✊

08/23/2026

“They’re trying to take from our community, from people who actually live and work here.”

We thank The Real News Network for making their 1M+ subscribers aware of what British Petroleum is choosing to do to hundreds of local families.
“It hurts. And that’s by design.”

Going six months without paychecks is not easy.
Still, we remain ✊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukJkNmBsGx0

For the last five months, oil giant British Petroleum (BP) has lock...

08/20/2026

This week’s Crosstown Classic brought more than 100,000 people to Wrigley Field, where we were able to raise awareness of British Petroleum’s decision to lock us out of our jobs.
We also gained new signatures of support for our petition to the London company’s leadership, demanding they .

Cub fans and Sox fans may not agree on much, but they overwhelmingly stand in solidarity with our families.
Special thanks to our supporters who helped make this happen, including AOTC Media!

08/19/2026

Five months ago today, we were abruptly locked out of our jobs during contract negotiations with British Petroleum.

It’s not been easy for hundreds of local families to go without paychecks because of the London company’s decision, but our community has shown incredible support during our time of need, donating food, money, school supplies and more.

That is why we are out here supporting other families in their time of need.

Since tornadoes and storms destroyed our community last week, we’ve all come together – doing all we can to help one another when we need it most. It’s what good neighbors do.

We’re proud to call Northwest Indiana home. And we’re proud to show solidarity. ✊