Union Workers at Marathon's Detroit Refinery go on Strike

273 union workers at Marathon Petroleum's Detroit refinery have gone on strike, effective this morning (Wednesday, Sept. 4). The strike comes months after 95 percent of the union's members authorized a strike after their labor contract with the company expired in January. 

Officials for the Findlay, Ohio-based company issued a statement Wednesday in response to the walkout:

On September 4, hourly employees represented by Teamsters Local 283 commenced an economic strike at Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery, in support of the union’s bargaining proposals. We are disappointed that the union has decided to engage in a strike. Marathon Petroleum and the union have engaged in collective bargaining since December 4, 2023, meeting regularly for the last nine months to achieve a new labor agreement to replace the prior agreement that expired on January 31, 2024. The company has negotiated in good faith, but the union thus far has been unwilling to agree to acceptable terms for an agreement and, instead, has decided to engage in a strike in support of its bargaining positions.

We are fully prepared and have implemented plans to continue safely operating the facility with trained and qualified Marathon employees, and a safe and orderly handover to these experienced team members has been completed. The safety of our employees, contractors and the community remain our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining our vigilant focus on compliance, reliability and care for the environment as we continue producing transportation fuels for the region; we do not anticipate supply disruptions.