Refiners, union reach tentative deal

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Bloomberg

By Aaron Clark

Refiners and union employees reached a tentative contract agreement, averting a strike that would have idled as many as 30,000 workers who produce almost two-thirds of the gasoline, diesel and other fuels made in the U.S.

"The settlement means there will be no interruption in refinery operations, which would have impacted product supply in advance of the gasoline driving season and probably led to higher prices," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates LLC in Houston.

In the Bay Area, union workers at Chevron's Richmond refinery, Shell's Martinez refinery and Tesoro's Golden Eagle refinery in Martinez are all covered by the new deal.

Negotiators for the union and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, which represented employers in the talks, agreed to terms after 12 days of meetings in Austin, Texas, said United Steelworkers International Vice President Leo W. Gerard. The union said it didn't win the safety improvements it sought.

Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_11620012