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(AMM) Despite tentative pact, local strikes at oil firms still possible

February 09, 2009 - 18:25 GMT Location: PITTSBURGH

Although the union representing oil workers has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract, the potential for selective strikes throughout the industry is not over.

The 78 United Steelworkers union locals representing 30,000 oil workers in the production, refining, marketing, transportation, pipeline and petrochemical sectors of the oil industry have not yet ratified the proposed pact, leaving the door open for possible strikes at select refineries around the nation?and potentially putting another damper on the energy industry's need for oil country tubular goods (OCTG).

Phil Flynn, oil analyst with Alaron Trading Corp., Chicago, said strikes by oil workers across the nation would reduce demand for OCTG?already down as a result of exploration and development companies putting down rigs due to low prices...

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