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This article was featured in the Winter 2026-2027 IAM Journal and was written by IAM Communications Representative John Carr
IAM Union Members Along the Gulf Coast Keep the Nation Moving
In the petroleum and chemical industry, there is no room for complacency. Every shift brings immense responsibility inside some of the most hazardous industrial environments in the world, where flammable materials, high pressures, extreme temperatures and complex processing systems demand precision. The safety of every worker depends on the person standing beside them. A single decision can affect an entire crew, a facility and the communities that surround it.
For IAM Union members along the Gulf Coast, looking out for one another isn’t simply part of the job, it’s a way of life. Every task is built on trust, communication, and the shared commitment that everyone goes home safely.
Long before the morning commute begins and well after most Americans have gone to bed, highly skilled IAM Union members are already hard at work along the Gulf Coast. Inside petroleum refineries and chemical facilities from Lake Charles, La., to Port Arthur, Texas, these dedicated professionals help produce the fuels, chemicals and industrial products that power America’s economy.
Their workplaces are among the most complex industrial environments in the world. Every valve, pipeline, compressor, electrical system and processing unit must operate with precision. Above all else, every shift begins and ends with an unwavering commitment to safety.
These are the IAM members who keep America running.
For IAM members in Lake Charles and Port Arthur, refinery and chemical plant work is more than earning a paycheck. It’s a career built on craftsmanship, responsibility and pride.
Whether maintaining critical equipment, monitoring sophisticated processing systems, troubleshooting electrical components or preparing facilities for around-the-clock production, every employee understands the importance of doing the job correctly the first time.
“People see the finished product, but they don’t always see the workers behind it,” said IAM Local 1317 President and CITGO worker Travis Odom. “Every shift, we’re focused on doing the job safely and making sure our facility runs the way it’s supposed to. That’s something I’m proud to be a part of.”
That pride extends across Gulf Coast facilities represented by the IAM.
“Working in this industry takes skill, discipline and trust,” said Kent Ardoin, an IAM Local 470 member at Westlake. “Every day we’re responsible for keeping complex systems operating safely, and everyone on the crew depends on each other to do the job right.”
For many members, the work demands constant learning as technology evolves, regulations become more sophisticated and new equipment requires ongoing training.
“You earn your reputation in this industry,” said IAM Local 1317 member and CITGO worker Nicholas Morgan. “The people I work with know they can count on me, just like I know I can count on them. That’s what makes this job rewarding.”
At Valero, members describe that responsibility as something that goes well beyond operating equipment.
“This isn’t just a job, it’s a career built on responsibility,” said IAM Local 823 Vice President Kelly Ford, who works at Valero. “Every task matters because the people beside you are counting on you to perform your job safely and correctly.”
Inside every refinery and chemical facility, safety is more than a policy—it’s a culture.
Every maintenance activity, inspection and repair begins with communication and planning. Members rely on one another to identify hazards, follow established procedures and ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of every shift.
“Technology keeps changing, but one thing never changes, our commitment to safety,” said IAM Local 1317 member and CITGO worker Joshua Auzenne. “We take our training seriously because every decision we make affects the people working beside us.”
“This isn’t the kind of job where you can cut corners,” Auzenne continued. “Every task requires planning, communication, and trust. We look out for one another because that’s what professionals do.”
That philosophy is shared throughout the Gulf Coast.
“Safety isn’t something we talk about only during meetings, it’s part of every decision we make,” said Tim Veillon, an IAM Local 470 steward. “Looking out for your co-workers isn’t just expected here, it’s part of our culture.”
For Valero members, communication is one of the most important tools on the job.
“In a refinery, communication can make all the difference. We never assume anything,” said IAM Local 823 Secretary-Treasurer Kirk Landry. “We verify, we communicate and we work together because that’s how everyone goes home safely.”
Safety is reflected in every conversation between coworkers, every job briefing and every decision to stop and verify that a task can be completed safely. It’s a culture built on trust and passed from one generation of IAM members to the next.
Most Americans rarely think about where the products they rely on every day begin.
The gasoline that fuels vehicles, plastics used in hospitals, chemicals essential to manufacturing and countless industrial materials all begin with work performed inside facilities like those in Lake Charles and Port Arthur.
“There’s a lot of pride in knowing the work you do helps power industries across America,” said IAM Local 470 member and Qemetica worker Justin Courville. “Most people never think about where those products come from, but we do.”
Although their work often goes unnoticed, its impact reaches far beyond the refinery gates.
“Most people never think about where the products they use every day come from, but we know what’s involved,” said Brian Haraminac, an IAM Local 470 member at Qemetica. “It’s rewarding to know our work supports industries and communities across the country.”
Whether producing fuels that keep trucks moving, chemicals used in manufacturing or products that become part of everyday life, IAM members understand that quality and reliability begin with the skilled workers operating and maintaining these facilities.
Across Gulf Coast facilities, one theme emerges again and again: mentorship.
Veteran IAM members take pride in helping newer employees develop the skills, judgment and confidence needed to succeed in one of the nation’s most demanding industries. Lessons learned over decades are passed down on the job every day.
“I’ve learned that the best training comes from the experienced union members who take the time to teach you not just how to do the work, but why every step matters,” said Kelly Stevens, an IAM Local 470 member at Qemetica.
Experienced workers understand that sharing knowledge is about more than improving production, it’s about protecting one another.
“Technology continues to change, but teamwork never goes out of style,” said IAM Local 470 member and Westlake worker Will Louviere. “The experienced members taught me what it means to be an IAM member, and now it’s my responsibility to pass that knowledge to the next generation.”
New technologies and equipment may change how the work is performed, but teamwork, accountability and looking out for one another remain constant.
Ask almost any member what the IAM means to them, and the answers share common themes: opportunity, respect, security and family.
For many, IAM Union membership has provided stable careers, quality healthcare, retirement security and the ability to support their families. Just as importantly, it has provided a voice.
“The IAM has given us more than a contract,” said Travis Odom, a Local 1317 member at CITGO. “It’s given us a voice, strong representation, and the confidence that we’ll stand together whenever challenges come our way.”
Members say that sense of solidarity extends beyond the workplace, whether helping a fellow member through a difficult time, mentoring a new employee or standing together during negotiations.
“I’m proud to be an IAM member because we believe in looking out for one another,” said IAM Local 823 member and Secretary-Treasurer Kirk Landry. “That solidarity doesn’t stop at the plant gate, it strengthens our families, our workplaces, and our communities.”
Across the Gulf Coast, IAM members share a common belief that the union’s greatest strength has always been its people.
Although separated by state lines, IAM members in Lake Charles and Port Arthur share remarkably similar experiences.
The facilities operate around the clock, demand precision and require extraordinary teamwork. They are staffed by highly trained IAM members who take pride in producing quality work safely while looking out for one another.
Whether refining petroleum products or manufacturing chemicals essential to American industry, members understand that every shift carries tremendous responsibility. Their work supports supply chains, strengthens local economies and helps ensure essential products reach businesses and families across the nation.
“Our facility never really sleeps,” said Travis Odom, an IAM Local 1317 member at CITGO. “No matter what shift we’re working, we know people across the country depend on what we help produce. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Although facilities may differ in size, production and processes, members across the Gulf Coast share a common mission: protect one another, produce quality work and leave the workplace better than they found it.
“Port Arthur’s IAM members are among the most highly skilled workers in the petroleum and chemical industry,” said Kelly Ford. “They understand that excellence begins with preparation, training, and teamwork. Every day they demonstrate the professionalism that has long defined the IAM.”
IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin began his working career at PPG Industries, now Westlake, as a Machinist by trade.
As the petroleum and chemical industries continue to evolve, IAM members remain committed to evolving alongside them.
Advancing technology, modernized production methods and new training opportunities continue to shape the future of the industry. Yet amid constant change, the professionalism of the men and women performing this demanding work remains unchanged.
New equipment requires new skills. New technologies require new training. New challenges require experienced workers willing to share their knowledge with the next generation.
For today’s workforce, investing in training isn’t simply about improving productivity. It’s about protecting lives, strengthening careers and preparing future IAM members to carry the industry forward.
Every day, IAM members across the Gulf Coast report to work knowing that millions of Americans depend on the products their facilities produce.
Their jobs require technical expertise, discipline and constant vigilance. They often work nights, weekends, holidays and through severe weather to ensure essential industries continue operating safely.
They rarely seek recognition. Instead, they find satisfaction in a job well done, supporting their families and standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow IAM members who share their commitment to excellence.
That dedication has helped build a culture where safety comes first, craftsmanship is respected and every worker understands the importance of looking out for the person beside them.
“The Gulf Coast has long been the backbone of America’s energy and chemical industries, and IAM members continue to set the standard,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Their work is demanding, their responsibility is enormous, and their commitment to one another never wavers. They don’t seek recognition; they simply take pride in doing the job right, supporting their families, and strengthening their communities. The professionalism and solidarity they demonstrate every day embody the very best of our union.”
Whether in Lake Charles or Port Arthur, one thing is unmistakable: The strength of the petroleum and chemical industry begins with skilled IAM Union workers.
