News / Business

US gas prices up amid expanding strikes

Monday, 23 February 2015 5:39 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 24 February 2015 5:37 PM ]

AFP photo shows USW members gathering outside the BP refinery on February 10, 2015 in Whiting, Indiana.

The average price of gasoline rises in the US as the nationwide oil refinery strike gains momentum across the country.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas increased 13 cents in the past two weeks to $2.33.

The latest price rise comes against the backdrop of nationwide strikes at refineries. Experts believe that the fuel prices could spike further should the strike go on.

First strike in 30 years

The nationwide strike which has already affected several oil refineries is the first industrial action in the US oil sector since 1980.

The industrial action has been organized by United Steelworkers Union (USW) which represents workers at 65 oil refineries across the United States.

The strike started on February 1. It has already affected nearly 20% of US refining capacity.

The walkout took effect after talks between USW and Shell Oil, which is leading the industry-wide bargaining effort, broke down.

Gaining momentum

The workers at the biggest refinery in the US, the Motiva Enterprises refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, joined the strike midnight Friday. Meanwhile, workers at two other refineries and a chemical plant in Louisiana started their strike late on Saturday. USW has called on more worker to go on strike.

Workers’ demands

The union says it has expanded the strike with the industry refusing to "meaningfully address" safety issues through good-faith bargaining. The USW seeks to discuss staffing levels. The striking protesters also demand better treatment as well as pay increases.

‘More strikes’

Now, Dean Henderson, the author of “Big Oil & Their Bankers” predicted that more strikes would be staged in different sectors of the US economy giving worsening economic situation.

“Working people are being squeezed so hard in this country. Real wages are actually going down, billionaires keep getting richer and adding assets,” Henderson told Press TV on Monday.

“I think there will be more strikes in different sectors of economy. People are not able to make ends meet,” he concluded.

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