Crown Central Announces End to Union Labor Dispute
Crown was informed today by PACE that the tentative agreement between the parties announced on January 3, 2001 was ratified by Local 4-227 members. As a result, PACE will cease all boycott activities, resolve all litigation with Crown, and end the "corporate campaign" against the Company that was initiated by its affiliate, the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW). In addition, the lockout of the bargaining unit employees at the Pasadena refinery, which began in February 1996, will come to an end.
Crown Chairman Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr. stated: "Crown is extremely pleased that the labor dispute has come to an end. It is our intention to move as quickly as possible to return these employees to work. We look forward to a renewed and mutually beneficial relationship with the union."
The Company will immediately send letters to the bargaining unit employees that have not resigned or retired since the lockout began, notifying them that the lockout has ended along with the procedures for returning to work. The Company expects to recall all eligible employees over the next several weeks.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland since 1930, Crown operates two Texas refineries with a total capacity of 152,000 barrels per day, 329 Crown gasoline stations and convenience stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S., and 13 product terminals along the Colonial, Plantation, and Texas Eastern Products pipelines.
© 2000 PRNewswire, SOURCE: Crown Central Petroleum Corp.
PACE International Union Oil Workers Ratify Labor Agreement with Crown Central Petroleum to End Five Year Lockout in Texas
NASHVILLE, JAN. 18 -- MEMBERS of the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), Local 4-227 in Pasadena, Texas, yesterday ratified a new labor agreement with Crown Central Petroleum. The new agreement puts an end to a bitter labor dispute characterized by a five-year lockout and a sophisticated union campaign against the company.
"We are pleased that our members are returning to work under a union contract that provides essential guarantees and protections," said PACE President Boyd Young. "It is time to put rancor aside and work with Crown to improve the operation of the refinery and its environmental compliance, while ensuring long-term job security and fundamental rights for our members."
"The return of PACE members to the refinery is a great victory, and we are grateful that peace has been declared by both sides," said PACE Executive Vice President Robert E. Wages, who directed the settlement talks. "We look forward to an improved relationship with the company."
Joe Campbell, financial secretary of PACE Local 4-227, said, "Our locked-out members stood tall for five years, and we express our deep thanks to our international union for its financial support and successful campaign, and to our PACE members and locals who contributed generously to our hardship fund."
Mack Hickerson, PACE Local 4-227 president, gave special recognition to "the thousands of labor, civil rights, religious and environmental activists who rallied around our cause and gave life to our campaign."
The new contract provides wage increases of approximately 11.5 percent in the first 13 months, with additional wage increases based on forthcoming national oil bargaining. More importantly, it protects seniority rights; preserves jobs and the union contract if the refinery is sold; keeps Crown's Pasadena refinery as part of national oil bargaining; and encompasses a collective bargaining agreement that maintains standards consistent within the industry.
The lockout of 252 PACE members from Crown's main refinery in Pasadena, Texas, began on February 5, 1996.
PACE, based in Nashville, Tenn., represents 320,000 workers in the paper, chemical, energy, atomic and automotive supply industries.
© 2000 PRNewswire, SOURCE: PACE International Union
