“They represented Marathon, not us”: Refinery workers denounce USW sellout in national pattern deal
Monday, February 9, 2026
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Refinery workers across the US are speaking out against the tentative national pattern agreement announced by the United Steelworkers (USW), covering 30,000 oil refinery workers, with many calling it a "sellout" that fails to address forced overtime, limited sick leave, and safety issues.
The agreement provides a 15% wage increase over 4 years and a one-time $2,500 signing bonus, but workers argue it does not keep pace with rising costs, with one HF Sinclair worker saying the proposed raise "barely even covers our insurance premiums raise for this year".
Workers at BP Whiting, where a strike has been authorized, fear being isolated by the USW if they reject the deal, with one worker stating "we'll be on our own" and calling for a more united response, saying "every refinery signs or we go out … plain and simple".
