Union Workers Ratify Deal at Marathon Refinery

Union workers at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Southwest Detroit have ratified a seven-year collective bargaining agreement following a three-month strike that began on September 4. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 283 announced that the agreement includes significant wage increases, healthcare benefits, and a union pension. The strike was the first for the local union in 30 years and was prompted by unsuccessful negotiations over pay and safety issues after their previous contract expired in January. Marathon Petroleum confirmed the ratification and is now working on reintegrating the 270 striking workers back into the facility, which has a refining capacity of 140,000 barrels per day. The negotiations were facilitated by a federal mediator as the union sought to address longstanding concerns. The agreement marks a significant development in labor relations at the refinery.