Striking workers at Marathon Petroleum Detroit refinery demand 6% raise to keep up with inflation

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Higher wages and improved job security are just some demands from 273 striking workers at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Detroit.

Members of Teamsters Local 283 are walking the picket line at the plant, on Fourth Street at Schafer on Wednesday.

Steve Hicks, president of the Local, told WWJ Newsradio 950's Mike Campbell that they're fighting a "living wage."

"As you know, inflation went sky high since the pandemic," Hicks said. "All our members kept this plant safe throughout the pandemic, risking their life coming here every day."

"This plant, it takes anywhere from two to three years to train someone to do this job," he said. "They have scabs in there. It's not safe for the citizens of Detroit. They need to put our workers back in."

Specifically, Hicks said they are asking for a 6% raise to keep up with inflation.

"And give us union security," Hicks said. "They refuse to do that and shut down bargaining."

In a statement, Marathon Petroleum blamed the union for the stall in negotiations, saying that is has brought in "trained and qualified" temporary workers to safely operate the plant during the strike. Marathon said collective bargaining has been ongoing since December and the company has negotiated in good faith, but the union has been unwilling to agree to acceptable terms.

Union members were striking at one gate Wednesday morning, but said they are prepared to expand the strike to more gates and additional plants, if necessary.