BP proposes six-year labor contract at Whiting refinery

Sept 29 (Reuters) - BP BP.L said on Tuesday it is proposing a six-year labor contract for workers at its 440,000-barrel-per-day Whiting refinery in Indiana as negotiations with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7-1 continue.

• The company said the six-year term would provide stability for the refinery and employees.

• "6-year term would give you certainty in your pay, your benefits, and your working conditions for years," BP said.

• The final two years of the proposed agreement would match future National Oil Bargaining Program (NOBP) pattern wage-rate increases.

• BP is also proposing a longer notice period before the union can strike or the company can initiate a lockout.

• The company said it would continue talks with USW 7-1 representatives.

• BP locked out its workers at the Whiting refinery in March in a dispute with the union over its next contract.