MEDIA ADVISORY – BP Whiting Lockout: Investor Risks Amidst a Global Oil Crisis

United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO, IndustriALL to Host Global Investor Briefing

MEDIA ADVISORY: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, [email protected], 412-562-2444
Jenn Wood, [email protected], 412-562-1160

(Pittsburgh) The United Steelworkers union (USW), AFL-CIO, and IndustriALL will host a call on Wed., July 22, at 9 a.m. ET to update investors and industry analysts about the ongoing, illegal lockout by British Petroleum p.l.c. (LON: BP; NYSE: BP ) of more than 800 workers at the company's Whiting, Ind., refinery. The workers, represented by USW Local 7-1, have been locked out of their jobs since March 19, 2026.

The refinery is the largest British Petroleum refinery worldwide and produces critically needed transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. British Petroleum is operating the complex facility with replacement staff, raising serious concerns about potential safety hazards.

Global oil markets have faced extreme instability since the onset of the war in Iran. The U.S. ‌Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to ​the lowest level since May ​1983, following the first closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February of this year.

Investors are encouraged to join this webinar to learn about the investor risks and labor rights violations at play in this critical time for oil markets.

This webinar is co-hosted by the IndustriALL Global Union, AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), and the USW (United Steelworkers).

DATE:Wednesday, July 22, 2026

TIME:9 am U.S. Eastern time // 2 pm London //3 pm CEST //6 am U.S. Pacific time

SPEAKERS:

• Eric Schultz-President of USW Local 7-1 at the BP Whiting, Ind., refinery
• Michael J. Smith-Chair of the USW's National Oil Bargaining Program
• Nicholas Schafer - Technician, USW Collective Bargaining, Research, and Benefits
• Michael Frerichs-Illinois State Treasurer
• Moderator: Carin Zelenko-Director of Capital Strategies, AFL-CIO

REGISTER HERE: https://usw-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_r8XvSb2nTTKiTnny4k84kA

You will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the call.

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply, and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech, and service occupations.

###