[ROCKMAN]

dino - Looks like the federal courts might soon be providing you with more then reports of reports:

"In the wake of a recent federal charge filed against a local Steelworker union for intimidating Shell oil workers for refusing to abandon their jobs during the ongoing, highly-publicized United Steelworker (USW) union-instigated strike, three additional Houston-based oil refinery workers have filed a federal charge against the union. LyondellBasell Industries employees Yvonne Hendrix, Richard Jackson, and Kyle MacDonnell filed the unfair labor practice charge Monday with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The charge alleges that USW Local 13-227 union officials are resorting to harassing, coercing, and threatening workers for refusing to abandon their jobs. Over the course of several meetings, a USW Local 13-227 union official has threatened workers who continue to work during the strike with job termination and other retaliation. Further, USW Local 13-227 union officials have allowed a union Facebook page to be used to communicate threats against workers who continue to work during the strike, and against employees who are contemplating returning to work".

[dinopello]

Does like it's all being resolved - at least in places

More than 700 union workers at the largest U.S. refinery unanimously approved a new contract in a vote at their union hall in Port Arthur, Texas, on Tuesday night, said union officials.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) also said workers at three Tesoro refineries on the West Coast were making progress in finalizing contracts. Return-to-work agreements, usually the final step before ratification votes, were under discussion.

"This is a ton of bricks off the backs of our members," said Jeffrey Wright, vice chairman of the Motiva Workman's Committee in USW local 13-423. "Our membership is thankful our international leadership got a good contract."

USW negotiators reached an industry-wide agreement to settle the strike with lead U.S. refinery owner representative Royal Dutch Shell Plc on Thursday. Shell is a co-owner of Motiva.

A Tesoro spokeswoman said the company was pleased with the progress being made to end strikes by workers at refineries in Anacortes, Washington, Carson and Martinez, California.

"We look forward to welcoming back our workers and resuming normal operations together," said Tesoro's Tina Barbee.

The USW said BP, Lyondell Basell Industries, and Marathon Petroleum "continue fights on tough local issues."