Mrvan Leads Letter to BP CEO

Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) sent a letter to the CEO of BP to express serious concerns regarding the ongoing lockout of union workers at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana.

Specifically, the letter to the CEO urges BP to end this lockout immediately and negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that maintains a strong, skilled, unionized workforce at this critical facility.

The text of the letter is below and a pdf is available here.

"We write to express serious concerns regarding the ongoing lockout of union workers at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana. Skilled workers are vital for the operations and maintenance of this critical facility, and we have received outreach from community members expressing concern that this lockout jeopardizes health and safety, the region's economic stability, and our nation's energy security.

"The Whiting refinery is the largest in the Midwest and plays a central role in supplying the region with gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. According to the Energy Information Administration, past disruptions at Whiting have had an impact on the supply of petroleum products and raised energy prices in the Chicago market. For example, in 2024, when there was a prolonged outage at this facility, BP had to purchase fuels from the market to supply Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Illinois to ensure that passenger and freight transit would not be interrupted. Operations at Whiting have a direct impact on the regional economy - from drivers and farmers to manufacturers and shippers. Especially at a time when global energy markets remain volatile, the United States cannot afford unnecessary disruptions at this key domestic refining asset.

"Constituents residing near this facility have also expressed concern about the safety implications of a prolonged lockout. The Whiting refinery handles high-hazard chemical processes that require experienced operators, maintenance technicians, and emergency response personnel. The current situation introduces the risk that the refinery will be staffed with personnel who lack the skills and training necessary to manage abnormal operating conditions. Therefore, ensuring that this refinery is operated by a highly trained and unionized workforce is a matter of public safety for the families and businesses who live in close proximity to this refinery and rely on BP to maintain the highest standards of safety.

"For nearly 140 years, the Whiting refinery has served as an economic anchor for Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago region, supporting thousands of workers and their families. As you know, the National Labor Relations Act requires employers and unions to bargain in good faith to negotiate the terms of employment. We urge you to end this lockout immediately and negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that maintains a strong, skilled, unionized workforce at this critical facility."

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