United Steelworkers Local 5 walks out in Martinez, California, citing contract and safety issues as bargaining with Marathon stalls
Union workers at Marathon Petroleum’s Martinez Renewables facility in California went on strike on April 27, 2026, amid stalled contract talks. The walkout by hourly employees represented by United Steelworkers Local 5 follows four months of bargaining after the previous agreement expired. Marathon said operations normally handled by union workers have been turned over to trained employees, while a USW District 12 director alleged unlawful conduct during negotiations and urged a return to the table. A county-commissioned review last year rated the site’s “safety culture” at 65 percent, below industry benchmarks, citing understaffing; Marathon said it has implemented corrective and preventive actions and is pursuing continuous safety improvements.
In Illinois, labor actions on two campuses continued. At the University of Illinois Chicago, about 2,000 graduate workers began a strike after a year of negotiations, seeking higher pay, health insurance, and safeguards around artificial intelligence. At Illinois State University, non-teaching staff represented by AFSCME Council 31 have struck since April 8 over pay; the university’s latest offer is 3.5 percent at ratification and 3 percent annually through 2029. In Ohio, a 10-week county services strike is increasing demand at the Lorain County Free Clinic.