Oil workers in Carson, across U.S. continue strike

CARSON, Calif. (KABC) -- About 800 oil workers in Carson continued to strike on Monday, asking for better healthcare, safety on the job and higher wages.

The group is among about 3,800 union workers at nine U.S. refineries, mostly in California and Texas, who have gone on strike, making it the largest United Steelworkers walkout in 30 years.

On Monday morning, union members picketed at East 223rd Street entrance in Carson, motivated to get their message across.

Dave Campbell, a USW Local 675 representative, warned additional waves of strikes may be in the future.

"The conflict is not about economics it's more the fatigue in the industry," Campbell said. "Right now, we work so many hours, we're lucky if we get one day off a week. We're on 12-hour shifts."

A Tesoro spokeswoman confirmed work stoppages at the company's operations in California, Washington and North Dakota. In California, Tesoro refineries are located in Carson and Martinez.

"Our comprehensive contingency planning has prepared us to safely operate our facilities. We have successfully made the transition and are operating our Carson refinery despite the USW violating the longstanding practice of providing a minimum of 24 hours' strike notice," said Destin Singleton, a spokeswoman for Tesoro.

Replacement workers were bused into the Carson location, while picketers attempted to convince them to leave.

Other refineries in Texas and Kentucky have also been affected.

The move comes after talks between the United Steelworkers union and Shell, which represented the energy industry, broke down less than two weeks after negotiations began. The contract expired at midnight Sunday.

United Steelworkers represents about 30,000 workers.