Union employees locked out of New Jersey oil refinery after contracts expire

Hundreds of workers have been locked out of the largest oil refinery on the East Coast. 

Some 400 union employees were kept out of New Jersey's Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery and the Linden Terminal after contract negotiations failed. 

Dozens of Teamsters Local 877 were out on the picket line outside the Bayway Refinery and Linden Terminal on Tuesday. They even blocked trucks from going in at times. The union says it is asking for a better and safer contract. So far, the two sides have not come up with a deal. 

Passing cars honked their horns in support of the locked-out labor. 

"I would much rather be working. But the company refuses to give us a fair and safe contract," Teamsters Local 877 member David Zaccardi said. 

Phillips 66 said the company locked those workers out in the absence of a further contract extension, and to meet its commitment to safe and reliable operations. 

The Teamsters say they're just asking for better benefits and safety protections. Employees say that includes reinstating sick days that have been cut by the company. 

"People are coming to work sick, OK? And when you come to work sick, sometimes you have an accident, make a mistake. And that can be devastating in a place like this," Teamsters Local 877's Ed Goldmann said. 

Phillips 66 officials say the facilities are still operating and are now staffed by supervisors and engineers. 

"To me, running this refinery with a skeleton crew is a huge safety risk. The company maintains that they can do it. I hope they can," Teamsters Local 877 President Jeff Sanford said. 

Bayway Refinery is the largest of its kind on the East Coast. It processes gasoline and diesel fuel, and it provides jet fuel to Newark Liberty International Airport. 

Employees say there are reserves, but if the lockout drags on, it could impact fuel prices in the region. 

Both sides returned to the negotiating table Tuesday afternoon. 

A Teamsters representative expressed cautious optimism that a deal could be done soon.