Workers at Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit Refinery End Three-Month Strike

In a significant development, Teamsters members working at Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery have voted to ratify a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement, ending a three-month strike that began in early September. The strike had disrupted operations at the refinery and put a spotlight on labor negotiations at one of the nation’s largest independent refiners.

Both the company and the union confirmed the ratification on Sunday, marking the conclusion of a bitter dispute that had been brewing for months. Marathon Petroleum, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, issued a statement noting that the process of safely returning employees to the refinery is already underway. The company added that they were committed to ensuring a smooth and secure reintegration of workers back into their roles at the facility.

The Detroit refinery, with a capacity to process 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, is one of Marathon’s 13 refineries across the United States. It plays a key role in the company’s broader operations, which collectively have a refining capacity of approximately 2.9 million bpd. The Detroit facility had faced significant disruptions after over 200 Teamsters walked off the job on September 4. The workers had been locked in a protracted dispute with Marathon over issues related to pay, safety conditions, and job security, with their previous contract expiring in January 2024.

The strike followed months of unsuccessful negotiations between Marathon Petroleum and the Teamsters Local 287, which represents workers at the Detroit refinery. Attempts at mediation, which were initiated by a federal mediator, failed to yield an agreement, prompting the workers to vote for strike action in September.

Marathon and the Teamsters have expressed satisfaction with the deal, which is expected to provide stability for the workforce and secure long-term operations at the Detroit facility.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is one of the largest independent refiners and marketers of petroleum products in the United States. Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, the company operates 13 refineries across the country, with a combined crude oil refining capacity of approximately 2.9 million barrels per day. Marathon is a major player in the energy sector, focusing on the production, transportation, and sale of refined products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. In addition to refining, the company is involved in logistics, marketing, and retail through its Speedway convenience stores, which were recently sold to 7-Eleven in a strategic move to streamline operations. Marathon Petroleum is known for its significant investments in refining technology, environmental initiatives, and efforts to improve safety and efficiency in its operations.