ABOUT US
Originally Oil Field, Gas Well, and Refinery Workers of America, formed in the Texas oil fields in 1917, we grew as refining grew throughout the United States. As our numbers increased, we adapted. In 1937, we changed our name to Oil Workers International Union (OWIU). In 1948, we expanded into Canada.
In 1955 we merged with United Gas, Coke and Chemical Workers of America (UGCCWA), adding almost 100,000 workers to OWIU. The new union became known as the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW).
In 1956, OCAW represented 210,000 workers, the largest oil and chemical union at the time.
Between 1980 and 1995, OCAW lost nearly half of its members due to closures and consolidations. In order to survive, additional mergers were explored. In 1999, OCAW merged with United Paperworkers International Union (UPIU). This merger combined OCAW's workers with the 250,000 workers in UPIU. The merger resulted in another name change - Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE).
After continuing declines in membership due to closures and consolidations of both the oil and paper sectors, PACE merged with the United Steelworkers in 2005, forming the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied-Industrial and Service Workers International Union. The union name remains United Steelworkers to this day.
Our local began life in 1955 as OCAW Local 1-591.
