Steelworkers to expand strike

DALLAS -- The first nationwide strike at U.S. oil refineries since 1980 is spreading to two BP plants in the Midwest.

The United Steelworkers union has notified BP Plc. that workers at refineries in Ohio and Indiana will strike late Saturday night, joining a walkout that began this week at nine other refineries.

A BP spokesman said that the company expects to continue operating with replacement workers and doesn't expect a significant effect on production.

About 3,800 steelworkers began a strike Feb. 1 at refineries from California to Kentucky, saying that negotiations with Shell Oil Co. had broken down.

Shell is negotiating the national contract for other oil companies.

Union spokeswoman Lynne Hancock said the workers are seeking better health care benefits and limits on the use of contractors to replace union members in maintenance jobs.

She said wages are not an issue.

Refineries are far more automated than they were during the last nationwide strike 35 years ago.

Management draws up plans to use nonunion workers and contractors to keep running.

That could blunt the impact of the steelworkers' walkout and prevent a shock to gasoline prices.