BP to Lock Out Workers at Whiting Refinery

Refinery operator cites stalled contract negotiations with union as reason for lockout starting Thursday

Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:49am

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BP announced it will lock out workers at its Whiting, Indiana refinery starting Thursday amid ongoing contract negotiations with the United Steelworkers Union. The company cited concerns over a potential strike and said it will continue operating the refinery with trained staff, while the union accused BP of demanding job cuts, pay cuts, and giving up bargaining rights.

Why it matters

The Whiting refinery is a major economic driver in the region, employing hundreds of workers. A prolonged lockout could disrupt fuel supplies and have ripple effects on the local economy. The dispute also highlights the ongoing tensions between energy companies and labor unions over issues like job security and compensation.

The details

BP said that despite months of bargaining, contract talks with the United Steelworkers Union have stalled. The company is locking out workers over concerns about a potential strike and plans to continue operating the refinery with trained staff. The union accused BP of demanding the elimination of over 100 jobs, pay cuts, and giving up bargaining rights - terms the union called "unacceptable."

  • BP will lock out workers at the Whiting refinery starting Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The players

BP

A major global energy company that operates the Whiting refinery in Indiana.

United Steelworkers Union

The labor union representing workers at the Whiting refinery who are in contract negotiations with BP.

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What they’re saying

“We presented British Petroleum with an offer today that included accepting several of their proposals - only for them to reject that after just four hours and serve us with a lockout notice.”

— United Steelworkers Union President

“They continue to demand that we cut more than 100 jobs, accept pay cuts to nearly all positions and give up our bargaining rights. That's just unacceptable.”

— United Steelworkers Union President

What’s next

The union and BP will continue contract negotiations, with the lockout scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between energy companies and labor unions over issues like job security and worker compensation, with the potential for disruptions to fuel supplies and the local economy if an agreement cannot be reached.