BP Urges United Steelworkers to Resume Talks, Seek Mediation to End Whiting Refinery Dispute

04:18 AM EDT, 08/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- BP (BP) is pressing the United Steelworkers to return to the bargaining table and agrees to federal mediation concerning the company's Whiting, Indiana refinery, according to a letter sent to union leaders dated Wednesday. In the letter, Jordan Marcks, BP North America's head of People Relations, said the company remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement that would allow employees to return to work. BP said it agreed during a July 30 meeting convened by Indiana Governor Braun's office to use the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service mediator already assigned to the negotiations, but the union "did not immediately agree" and has not responded since. The company said it remains supportive of mediation and wants to resume bargaining "as soon as possible," according to the letter. United Steelworkers did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.