By Erwin Seba

HOUSTON (Reuters). Chevron Corp (NYSE:), and United Steelworkers union, (USW) met Monday in an effort to end a strike that had been ongoing for three weeks by 500 workers at Richmond, California’s refinery. A union official stated.

B.K. White, the first vice president for USW Local 12-5 said that the union received a proposal by the company and was currently preparing a response.

Tyler Kruzich, spokesperson for Chevron, did not respond to our request for comment.

Monday’s meeting marks the beginning of a face-to-face conversation between both sides within two weeks.

Chevron has continued operating the 245,271-barrel-per-day (bpd) with managers and supervisors but has begun advertising for temporary replacement workers in ads placed online.

Advertisements list a pay rate of $70/hour for temporary workers, which can last up to five month.

Kruzich stated that the personnel on-site are receiving compensation for their expertise and time. This was prior to Kruzich’s meeting with the other side.

After four years, the average national wage for union refinery workers is approximately $45 an hour. This according to USW.

White stated, “They’re throwing money at the scabs in an effort to destroy our union.”

Temporary replacement workers are often recruited from retired employees, ex-employees and recently graduated process operation programs.

After Chevron’s two rejected contracts to Local 12-5, the strike started.