The United Steelworkers union (USW) has launched additional work stoppages at the largest refinery in the US and three other facilities as part of USW’s unfair labor practice (ULP) strike. Twenty-four-hour strike notices were delivered over the weekend at the 600,000-b/d Motiva Enterprises refinery in Port Arthur, Tex.; as well as the company’s 235,000-b/d Convent and 238,000-b/d Norco refineries in Louisiana; and the Shell Chemical plant in Norco. Some 1,350 USW members are employed at the three refineries and chemical plant, which have a combined capacity of 1,073,260 b/d. The Port Arthur refinery is a 50-50 joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell PLC subsidiary Shell Oil Co. and Saudi Aramcosubsidiary Saudi Refining Inc. Both companies also operate the Convent and Norco refineries. “The industry’s refusal to meaningfully address safety issues through good faith bargaining gave us no other option but to expand our work stoppage,” said Leo W. Gerard, USW international president. Tom Conway, USW vice-president, also commented, “We’re committed to reaching a settlement that works for both parties, but adequate staffing levels, worker fatigue, and other important safety issues must be addressed.”