Mandan oil refinery union workers ratify contract

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MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Union workers at the Tesoro oil refinery at Mandan have voted to ratify a contract.

United Steelworkers local president Javier Montoya said the contract leaves current benefits in place along with a 40 percent cut to pensions. He says the company told workers if an agreement wasn't reached by May 22, bargaining would be for lesser options.

Tesoro spokeswoman Tina Barbee says the company is happy with the outcome of the union vote.

An administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board ruled earlier this year that Tesoro should have bargained with the union before cutting pensions and benefits last year, and ordered Tesoro to bargain. Tesoro has appealed. Workers could be compensated for lost benefits from 2010 to 2011 if Tesoro loses on appeal.

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