USW rejects Marathon's contract proposal as "unacceptable"
Negotiations face Sunday deadline for new agreement
USW demands safety, job security, and fair wages
By Erwin Seba
HOUSTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The United Steelworkers union rejected a comprehensive contract offer from Marathon Petroleum MPC.N in talks for a national pattern agreement for U.S. refinery and chemical plant workers, the union said on Wednesday night.
The USW and Marathon, lead negotiators for energy companies, face a 12:01 a.m. deadline on Sunday to hammer out a new agreement to the current four-year contract.
The Marathon proposal was "unanimously rejected" by the policy committee, which is made up of members from regions across the U.S. The union did not offer details about the Marathon proposal, but called it "unacceptable."
Marathon did not have an immediate comment on Thursday.
"We're fighting for safety for all of oil workers and our communities, real job security and fair wages that recognize our skill and sacrifices," the USW said in a statement.
(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Nathan Crooks and David Gregorio)
((erwin.seba@thomsonreuters.com; +1 832 746 4269; Reuters Messaging: erwin.seba.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net/))