ExxonMobil announces agreement with locked-out employees

ExxonMobil announced Feb. 21 that, after a lockout lasting more than nine months following failing negotiations, the company and USW Local 13-243 have come to an agreement to ultimately bring the union employees back to work, though a return-to-work date has yet to be set.

According to a company statement from ExxonMobil Beaumont Area Public and Government Affairs Manager Nakisha Burns, “After over a year of good-faith bargaining, we are pleased that our represented employees have finally been heard, have voted to accept our offer, and will soon be returning to work. We know it has been a long process and we believe this contract will provide long-term stability including job protections and wage progressions for employees. Throughout negotiations, we’ve heard our employees concerns and have come to an agreement with the union that continues to support employees while still achieving the Company’s objective of safe, reliable and profitable operations.

“We will provide further updates on when employees may return to work upon finalizing the plans with the union.”

A bulletin to employees sent out the same day reads, “The Company and union have agreed to the terms of an updated contractual bargaining agreement (CBA), retroactively effective February 1, 2021. This means the CBA is immediately in effect and the agreed to changes will be implemented upon employees’ return.

“Most importantly, this also means the lockout will end and employees will be returned to work as soon as safely possible.”

ExxonMobil stated in the bulletin that they are currently meeting with the union to reach a Return to Work Agreement. 

Information on employees’ return to work is available at www.embeaumont.com.