Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Unions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake County Council urges BP to end Whiting Refinery lockout, passes resolution supporting Steelworkers
Summary
On July 14, 2026 the Lake County Council approved a resolution backing locked-out United Steelworkers Local 701 members and urged British Petroleum to end the lockout at the Whiting Refinery, return to bargaining in good faith and protect local jobs and public safety.
The Lake County Council on July 14 approved a resolution expressing support for members of United Steelworkers Local 701 who have been locked out of the Whiting Refinery and urging British Petroleum to end the lockout and return to negotiations.
The resolution, moved and seconded during the council session, says the lockout has affected roughly 800 workers and their families and calls on BP to bargain in good faith and protect safe refinery operations. The council directed copies of the resolution be sent to British Petroleum, United Steelworkers Local 701 and state and federal elected officials representing Northwest Indiana.
Why it matters: Council members and community speakers said the lockout has economic and safety implications for Lake County and neighboring cities that rely on trained refinery workers. Council discussion framed the measure as a show of local political support for the union and for safe operations at the Whiting plant.
Union members and local residents addressed the council during the meeting. A United Steelworkers member said, “As you know, we have 800 locked out families. The majority live in Lake County, so your support means the world” and urged broader municipal solidarity. Terry Siegel, a resident who spoke during public comment, told the council it appeared BP had acted in “bad faith bargaining” and said the lockout was “blatant union busting,” urging local officials to increase public pressure on BP.
Council members emphasized community impacts. One member urged constituents and officials to attend picket lines and to consider political and economic levers to press the company, while others called for countywide and regional coordination among local governments.
Outcome and next steps: The council voted to approve the resolution during the meeting. The council’s action is symbolic — it urges BP to end the lockout and asks other local governments to pass similar measures — and does not compel the company to negotiate. The county clerk will forward copies of the resolution to the parties and elected representatives as recorded in the motion.
The council then moved on to routine business; no response from BP was recorded during the meeting.
