By Erwin Seba

HOUSTON (Reuters). Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: ) stated Tuesday that the vote to disband the United Steelworkers union from representing the locked-out workers at the Beaumont, Texas refinery, would proceed regardless of the result of the contract ratification vote by the same workers next week.

USW Local 13-243 declared Monday night, that Beaumont’s workers in lubricant and oil plants would vote their first time on Exxon contracts on October 19, six months since they had been locked out of work and 10 months ago when negotiations began.

Exxon’s 369,024-barrel-per-day refinery that produces Mobil 1 oil has been in service at reduced production levels since the lockout. Managers and supervisors were supported by temporary workers.

The Union has repeatedly criticised the time it took to vote for the contract.

Exxon stated in a statement that “Regardless of whether there is a ratification vote or the end of lockout, employee-led decertification will continue according to the guidelines of (U.S. National Labor Relations Board),”.

Bryan Gross, USW’s international representative in Beaumont, stated that both the contract and decertification votes, which have yet to be set by the National Labor Relations Board, (NLRB), are two distinct issues.

Gross stated Tuesday that “we still need to represent members,” in a telephone interview. The decertification ballot is still several months away.

A petition to decertify the USW Beaumont has been submitted by at least 30% of the approximately 650 workers. The reasons for this are unknown. Gross explained that Gross is currently verifying these signatures.

USW filed a NLRB complaint in April alleging Exxon had broken federal law by providing decertification material to an employee. The NLRB is yet to make a decision.

The spokesperson of the NLRB could not be reached immediately for comment.

Gross declared, “As far as the company’s offering is concerned, we believe it’s subpar.” But it is up to you, the members, to decide.

Exxon’s offer to contract with Exxon was rejected by the USW because it would reduce job seniority, and eliminate lead operators from units. Exxon changed its September offer to improve job security for employees at lubricant plant plants.