WHITING, Ind. (WLS) — The Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce has opted to return a sponsorship contribution from BP Refinery earmarked for this month’s Pierogi Fest. Additionally, they intend to generate funds in support of refinery workers who have been locked out during the festival.
In a public letter, the chamber announced that they had “resolved to send back the financial sponsorship donation offered by BP Refinery.”
Pierogi Fest, a much-anticipated event, is set to take place in Whiting from July 24 to 26.
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In a gesture of community solidarity, the chamber is also arranging for donation boxes throughout the fest. The aim is to support over 800 BP employees who have been without wages since the lockout at BP’s Whiting refinery began in mid-March over contract negotiations.
Eric Schultz, who leads United Steelworkers Local 7-1, expressed appreciation: “Seeing the community rally behind us is genuinely heartening. We didn’t have to push the chamber for this outcome; it was a spontaneous decision that they felt was just and appropriate.”
The Pierogi Fest decision comes just days after the city of Hammond dropped BP as a sponsor of next week’s Festival of the Lakes.
Speaking on his “Left of Center” podcast, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott discussed that decision.
“Personally, I didn’t realize we took the money, but we did apparently, and I was like, Scott, when I hear about it on Sunday, I’m like dude, you gotta refund that immediately,” McDermott said.
The union said it has been weeks since the two sides last met at the bargaining table. Union officials say the four-month lockout has placed increasing strain on workers and their families.
“Obviously the financial burden, people trying to find a couple of jobs to make ends meet or people moving out of state to find another job that’s comparable,” Schultz said.
Messages left by ABC7 for BP requesting comment were not returned Friday.
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