You have to give it to the union workers at Sunoco and ConocoPhillips. They’re not going down without a fight.
Yesterday they made still another trek to Washington, D.C., to pressure elected officials to put more heat on the companies, which are in the process of shutting down refineries in Marcus Hook, Trainer, and South Philly.
You can read the story here. Our editorial on the situation is here.
Sunoco has said that despite talking to 150 potential suitors, no one has come forward with a legitimate offer. They are now in the process of shutting the plant down. This week they told workers there was nothing for them to do, so they should not bother showing up. Friday is their last day.
Meanwhile, anyone else notice what is happening at gas pumps these days? The price is going through the roof.
AAA reports the prices are at their highest point in more than four months.
In Philly, the average price per gallon is $3.62, up from $3.56 the week before and $3.20 a year ago.
Nationally, the average price per gallon is $3.51.
AAA reports the refineries have responded to very weak demand by cutting back on production. A report on NBC Nightly News this week linked refinery shutdowns in the Northeast with price spikes at the pump.
Yesterday in D.C., union leader Denis Stephano warned that all of us have a stake in this fight. That’s because refinery shutdowns will result in higher prices for gas, heating oil and jet fuel, he said.
Oil over? Not by a long shot.
Now both Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, are planning congressional hearings on the refinery closures.
There’s still a lot about this story we don’t know. But one thing is becoming increasingly certain.
It’s going to cost all of us in ways that we haven’t even yet realized.
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