A whirlwind 24 hours has seen the Husky Lima Refinery strike end.
Now both sides are contemplating their next move in what has become a high stakes game of chess. Only this isn't a board game, it involves 200-plus workers livelihoods and the next move is the company's.
All quiet in front of Husky Energy on Friday as United Steelworkers local 624 pulled its picketers and declared their 4 month strike over.
That after the company ran an ad in Thursdays Lima News looking to hire permanent replacement workers. Union president Mike Edelbrock says the ball is in Husky's court.
Union leadership held an informational meeting with its members on Friday morning. The meeting lasting for about an hour. Edelbrock and their labor attorney giving workers an update on where the issues stand.
There is speculation among union members we talked with that say they believe Husky will take them back but only if they re vote, pass and sign the companies final contract offer they rejected this past Sunday.
Edelbrock says that won't fly.
And what if Husky moves forward with hiring those permanent replacement workers?
Edelbrock says if that were to happen, they have pending complaints before the National Labor Relations Board that could prevent their firings. There is also always the possibility of litigation.
He says if firings occur, since they are no longer on strike, they would consider that a lockout and union members could file for unemployment benefits.
Asked for a response to the unions offer, Husky spokesman Mel Duvall says they did receive the letter from the union indicating their unconditional offer to return to work. He says they are reviewing the letter and establishing their next steps. No word on when they will make or announce a decision.
