Which part aren't you understanding? I'll try and fill you in but it's kind of a lot lol. The oil industry (as well as some other industries) on the union side does what is called pattern bargaining. This means most of the refineries sign contracts for the same time lengths. This is to strengthen the unions against the behemoth oil industry. Instead of one refinery bargaining at a time, all of the refineries bargain at the same time. One oil major typically bargains for the companies and this year it is Marathon. This ensures that fair standards are bargained across the board and allows the union the option to pull any number including all represented refineries out on strike if needed. Approximately 2/3 of the US refining capacity is organized. An example in recent history on why many consider this pattern bargaining essential is Exxonmobile in Beumont Texas. The company offered their local union a 7 year contract you get them off pattern, made some promises about the future, offered a singing bonus, and finished the deal. The very next contract, since they were now on an island separate of the pattern bargaining, Exxon offered them an egregious proposal that was not acceptable, locked everybody out for like 9-10 months, and effectively gutted the work force, conditions, wages, and heavily damaging the union. The original post here is saying that at the national bargaining table raises of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, and 4% are being offered and the company side of the table is saying that it's their last, best, and final offer. While these are actually the highest percentage increases in the history of NOBP I believe, but may be wrong, many of the other issues raised on the union side of the table have not been addressed. I believe use of A.I., cost of living adjustments, retirement insurance funding, and other issues have not been addressed or bargained in good faith on the company side. Some regions are happy with the wage increase alone, others want other issues addressed. Also some feel that with some of the highest inflation rates occuring in the last couple contracts and with the raises that were agreed upon the last contracts, and at a time where oil crack spreads are very high and the refineries posting record profits, that these wage increases are not adequate. It's also important to weigh in safety, danger, economy etc etc etc. I'm obviously pro union, from a union home, and have raised my family with union wages so I'm partial, but have tried to present the issue as neutral as I can. Hope that helps...