Police presence during strike funded by Husky

Union hotlineLIMA — The police presence at Husky Lima Refinery during the ongoing strike is being paid for out of Husky’s pocket, Shawnee Township Police Chief Mike Keith said Friday.United Steel Workers Local 624 went on strike against Husky Energy Inc. May 25. Through the strike, the company is paying off-duty officers and renting cruisers from departments, Keith said.While the Shawnee Township Police Department is coordinating activities because the refinery is in its jurisdiction, off-duty officers and cruisers from multiple departments, including Shawnee Township, Fort Shawnee, Lima and Allen County Sheriff’s Office are being used.Shawnee Township has an agreement with the refinery that should any kind of enforcement action be required, the officers at the complex come off Husky’s bill and go back on the public’s. The off-duty officers are instructed to call immediately for additional response if it is needed.So far that additional response has not been required. Things have been quiet at the refinery.Today is day eight of the strike. Union members walk the picket line in six-hour shifts. Salaried employees are doing the jobs of union members, and the refinery is operating normally, company spokesman Adam Sparkes said Friday. The refinery produces 155,000 barrels of oil a day.The union and company, which owns the Lima Refinery, have been without a contract since April 14, and they were operating on a 24-hour rolling extension of the contract. About 240 employees are striking over issues surrounding safety, working conditions and use of personal time.The union and company plan to return to the bargaining table Wednesday. Local 624 members met on Friday with members of United Steel Workers who were on strike for three months in Findlay against Cooper Tire, Local 624 President Mike Edelbrock said. Edelbrock said his group wanted to hear from them about lessons learned during a long-term work stoppage.Local 624 members will meet with members of United Steel Workers international on Tuesday and also hold information meetings for members at 1 and 6 p.m. today.You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.