HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- Sunoco Inc. (SUN) and the union representing most of its workers said Monday they're making progress on hammering out a labor contract along the lines of those recently inked by refiners nationwide. But the parties still can't seem to agree on whether proposed layoffs that have so far hampered the deal are going to be voluntary or forced.
Sunoco, whose new chief executive aims to pare spending, has proposed a contract that includes "generous" benefits for those leaving their jobs at the company's two refineries in Marcus Hook, Pa. and Philadelphia, according to a company spokesman who insists that the departures would be voluntary.
But the United Steel Workers Union was told the contract provisions referred to "involuntary" layoffs, said union spokeswoman Lynne Baker, and put together a media campaign denouncing the cuts...more
