Echoing a move by the Lake County Council a day earlier, the Lake County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday in support of the United Steelworkers Local 7-1 amid the lockout from the BP Whiting Refinery.
The commissioners joined a growing number of local governments, as well as local events like Festival of the Lakes and Pierogi Fest, showing support for the locked out workers.
Lake County Board of Commissioners President Michael Repay, D-3rd, wrote a letter July 1 to the refinery’s Vice President Chris DellaFranco outlining the agreement between Northwest Indiana residents and the company.
“For as long as I have lived and for generations before me, the people of Lake County have had a pact with Standard Oil, Amoco and now BP. We will assume the risk, deal with the smell and side effects of being in proximity to your operations, if you treat us all with respect and dignity,” Repay wrote.
Repay wrote that at the board’s next meeting it will likely pass a resolution “to convey our opinion.” But, Repay wrote that he wanted to state his “own opinion more plainly” ahead of a potential resolution.
“With your treatment of your own employees represented by United Steelworkers, you’ve broken your end of the deal. Bring them back, quit playing games with the lives of region residents,” Repay wrote.
In a 2-0 vote Wednesday, with commissioner Kyle Allen, D-1st, absent, the commissioners approved a resolution in support of the United Steelworkers Local 7-1.
BP is one of the largest integrated energy companies in the world that has earned an estimated $54.57 billion in 2025. The company has locked out more than 800 workers — who live and contribute to Northwest Indiana — since March 19, according to the resolution.
The company’s bargaining proposals would eliminate more than 100 local union jobs, require pay cuts across nearly all positions, and strip away seniority and bargaining rights, according to the resolution.
“Utilizing replacement workers poses profound safety and operational risks to the local community and environment, threatening the stability of our neighborhoods,” according to the resolution.
Repay told the Post-Tribune Wednesday that the commissioners decided to weigh in on the matter because workers should be able to negotiate their contract and working conditions.
“I really try to avoid weighing in on areas where I have no control, but I felt like we had to because of the actions of the company,” Repay said.
BP spokesman Cesar Rodriguez said the company respects the commissioners’ desire to see a resolution.
“We’ve repeatedly asked union leadership to come back to the negotiating table so discussions can continue. The company remains ready and willing to keep talking through the issues that separate the parties and bargain in good faith to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, the union’s continued lack of response to meeting requests is slowing down constructive dialogue on these issues. We look forward to hearing from the union about their intent and availability to resume discussions,” Rodriguez said.
