The Hammond Teachers’ Federation is the next group to stand in solidarity with United Steelworkers Local 7-1 members locked out of BP’s Whiting Refinery.
“Until such time as BP ends the lockout and resumes fair negotiations, we urge our members, their families, and people across Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area to boycott all BP and Amoco gas stations,” the organization’s Tuesday announcement said.
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The Hammond Teachers’ Federation is the union representing the School City of Hammond’s educators, according to an email from the organization.
“We respect the Hammond Teachers Federation’s right to express its views and understand that many in Northwest Indiana want to see this matter resolved – and that includes BP,” a BP spokesperson said in an email to the Post-Tribune late Tuesday afternoon.
“BP remains committed to negotiating in good faith and reaching a contract that supports our employees and the long-term future and viability of the Whiting refinery. We stand ready to meet with the United Steelworkers 7-1’s elected representatives,” the spokesperson said. “We believe the best path forward is constructive dialogue at the bargaining table and we look forward to hearing from the union about their intent and availability to resume discussions.”
In their announcement, the educators’ union says BP made “record profits” during the first quarter of this year “at the expense of its workers and the planet. According to BP’s website, its first quarter replacement cost profit was $3.2 billion, up from $1.5 billion in the previous quarter.
According to the company’s website, in the second quarter, BP reported a $5.7 billion replacement cost profit, which the company alleges reflects “the strength of BP’s integrated operational level.” The company’s second quarter results were posted online Tuesday.
The teachers’ federation also mentioned concerns with BP bringing in replacement workers, which they call “inexperienced scabs” in the announcement. According to BP’s website, about 450 employees and “specialized contractors” operate the refinery during the lockout.
“Attacks like these on organized labor are attacks on working people everywhere,” the announcement said. “As public school educators, we too have been on the receiving end of relentless attacks on our collective bargaining rights over the years, so we know all too well what is at stake in this fight. Working people everywhere share a common enemy in the corporate interests who put profit over people.”
According to Post-Tribune archives, BP and USW 7-1 last held their 63rd formal bargaining session June 10, which was the first since May 22. Negotiations began Jan. 5, and the previous contract expired Jan. 31.
BP initiated a lockout of more than 800 union employees on March 19. The Hammond teachers’ union and multiple government bodies — including the Lake County Council and Board of Commissioners — have asked BP to end the lockout as negotiations continue.
Local Northwest Indiana festivals have also supported USW 7-1 workers. On July 10, the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce announced it returned BP’s monetary sponsorship of Whiting’s Pierogi Fest, according to Post-Tribune archives. Earlier in July, the city of Hammond also announced it would return the oil company’s $20,000 Festival of the Lakes sponsorship.
A spokesperson for USW 7-1 was unable to provide a comment by press time Tuesday.