Sunoco, unions extend talks to midnight

Union workers at Sunoco Inc.'s refineries in South Philadelphia and Marcus Hook remained on the job today as talks continued more than 24 hours past the expiration of their contract at noon yesterday.

Jim Savage, president of United Steelworkers Local 10-1, which represents more than 650 workers at the Philadelphia plant, said his local had agreed to extend its previous contract until midnight tonight while it attempts to resolve differences with the refiner.

A second union involved in the talks, Local 10-901, represents about 450 workers at Marcus Hook. Local president Tim Kolodi said his bargainers had agreed to extend the old contract until noon Tuesday so that talks could continue.

Union and company officials both say they are in general agreement over the financial portion of a proposed three-year contract.

Sunoco spokesman Thomas Golembeski said the company has offered 3 percent annual wage increases, a $2,500 ratification bonus, and a prohibition on involuntary layoffs. He said the terms were in line with a national pattern settlement for the industry.

Sunoco and its two Steelworkers locals say they are at odds over planned 25 percent reductions in the number of operators assigned to processing units at the two refineries.

Savage said the plan would eventually cut the number of operators at the Philadelphia refinery from about 400 to 300. The union says the plan would pose needless risks.

"It's strictly a health-and-safety issue for the safety of our workers and the surrounding community," Savage said last week.

Golembeski said the company had made significant investments at the refineries that make the current staffing levels unnecessary.

"The staffing levels we proposed are found in refineries across the country - refineries that are operated safely every day," Golembeski said.

Golembeski said talks with each of the two locals began early this morning.

"As long as the union is willing to keep talking, we are not giving up on reaching an agreement," he said.