# Around 800 workers have been locked out of the facility since March.

*business · news · 2026-05-18 · NBC 5 Chicago*

## Key points

- Union workers at BP's Whiting Refinery have been locked out since March over contract disputes.
- BP is pushing to cut over 100 union jobs, reduce pay, and limit bargaining rights.
- Negotiations between BP and United Steelworkers Local 71 have been stalled since January 31.
- Community groups have organized food distribution at Union Hall to support locked-out workers.

**Companies:** BP
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on NBC 5 Chicago](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/bp-union-slated-to-resume-negotiations-on-monday-amid-ongoing-lockout/3937164/)

---

Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/2cf57654-1b82-458e-971d-a04d883bf02a/around-800-workers-have-been-locked-out-of-the-facility-since-march-drivers-honk
Summarized by Newsio from NBC 5 Chicago. https://newsio.io/how-it-works