2008 Pamphlet on National Oil Bargaining Gains

National Oil Bargaining History

On March 17, 1956, 320 members of OCAW 1-591 took a strike vote to enter into a labor dispute against Shell Oil of Anacortes. The Union was seeking its first ever collectively bargained agreement. The major points of contention were, a seniority clause, wages and a grievance procedure. The strike vote passed by a 93% margin. Voting in favor were 269 with 18 voting no.

On January 8th International President Al Grospiron called a nationwide strike against the oil industry. Although the contract had expired January 1st, the unionized work forces remained on the job while negotiations continued. But because Grospiron couldn't get the industry to move on wages and benefits the strike was called.

On January 21st, OCAWIU President Bob Grospiron called over 4000 Shell OCAW members from 5 oil refineries and 3 chemical plants, out on strike. Then made a nationwide appeal to the public to boycott Shell Oil while the union continued its fight over the right to bargain health and safety issues.

On January 8th, 1980 newly elected International President Robert Goss called a nationwide strike against the oil industry. Because profits for the oil industry were skyrocketing, and the union accepted a lesser raise previously due to U.S.

On February 23rd at 4pm, 230 members of the Texaco unit went on strike. From the outset of negotiations, the company maintained a hard bargaining posture. They refused to meet the "National Pattern" and each time the committee met with the company, more take-aways were put on the table. The company's position left the union wondering.

On June 1st, 1995 14 OCAW Local 1-591 members lost their jobs when Texaco awarded their Coke handling bid to Western Plant Services Inc., a subsidiary of Hallbuck Marine, a vehemently anti-union company from Burnside, Louisiana. Western Plant Services Inc. immediately began illegally discriminating against the former employees of Alpha-Omega because of their union membership.

While we believe every member contributes to our cause, there are those that go above and beyond the call. The Famous Members section highlights the two that we consider to have stood out in their commitment, and ultimately their sacrifices, to create a better world for us all.