United Steelworkers at refineries that produce nearly 10% of the nation’s gasoline, diesel and other fuels went on strike Sunday, after contract negotiations broke down over salaries and safety concerns, union officials and companies said. The USW told members at nine refineries and chemical plants from Texas to California to walk out after their shifts were over and not to return until a new three-year collective bargaining agreement was reached. The strike affects 3,800 workers, the union said. The job action was the most widespread of its kind in 35 years. In 1980, a nationwide strike of refinery workers lasted three months, but most fuel generators were able to keep running using nonunion labor. This time around, companies said they, too, would keep plants operating under contingency plans. Royal Dutch Shell PLC., the oil […]