Did you know that Beaumont, TX was once home to one of the most important oil booms in U.S. history? It’s true! Growing up in Beaumont, a medium sized Southeast Texas town, field trips to the Spindletop site were pretty routine. Today you can still tour the Spindletop Boomtown Museum located on Lamar University’s campus in the southern part of Beaumont.
The oil and gas industry has undergone transformative changes since the discovery of oil at Spindletop in Beaumont in 1901. This landmark event not only marked the beginning of the Texas oil boom but also catalyzed the rise of petrochemical production. The vast quantities of crude oil extracted from Spindletop laid the groundwork for a burgeoning petrochemical sector, as the byproducts of refining oil became crucial for producing a wide array of chemicals and materials. This development helped fuel the industrial growth of the region and the nation, leading to advancements in everything from plastics to fertilizers.
As the petrochemical industry evolved, it became a vital component of the global economy, leveraging the raw materials derived from oil and gas to create essential products. In Beaumont and surrounding areas, facilities sprang up to process crude oil into petrochemicals, driving innovation and creating jobs. Today, the region continues to be a hub for petrochemical manufacturing, contributing significantly to the economic landscape of Texas and the broader U.S. economy. The legacy of Spindletop endures, as it not only symbolizes the birth of the oil industry but also highlights the intricate relationship between crude oil extraction and the diverse petrochemical products that support modern life.
The Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, TX) is also home to the world’s largest oil refinery. [1] Throughout the southeast Texas region, the petrochemical manufacturing industry in Jefferson County accounts for 46.7% GDP of the region according to the state comptroller’s site. In 2019 alone, the region boasted more than 34,000 jobs within the industry as well. Here, there are numerous petrochemical companies that are widely known such as Arkema, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, and Sunoco. All in all, the petrochemical industry has brought many jobs to the Southeast Texas region which has been great for the local economy.
However, turning shades to another aspect within the petrochemical industry is employment discrimination. As with any other industry, there has been a plethora of instances the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has addressed several cases of employment discrimination within the petrochemical industry, revealing persistent issues related to race, gender, and disability.
In March of 2023, ExxonMobil Corporation was sued by the EEOC for failure to take effective measures to thwart harassment on the basis of race. Occurring at its Baton Rouge, Louisiana location, ExxonMobil was alleged to have failed to protect a Black employee who found a hangman’s noose at his worksite in 2020. Prior to this employee’s complaint, ExxonMobil was on notice of previous similar instances where three additional nooses were found at the baton Rogue plant. Furthermore, ExxonMobil is alleged to have only investigated a few but not all instances regarding the hanging of these nooses. Ultimately, the EEOC alleges that ExxonMobil failed to investigate all of the instances as well as failed to effectuate reasonable measurers to halt the racially motivated actions. For additional information regarding this lawsuit, see here.
Another notable case involving employment discrimination and a petrochemical plant in Texas is where the EEOC field a lawsuit against Valero of claims of disability discrimination. Valero is alleged to have discriminated against an employee by discharging him for failure to take a reading test. Prior to the termination, Valero is alleged of failing to accommodate the same employee. For additional information on this lawsuit, see here.
These cases underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures within the petrochemical industry to combat discrimination. They serve as a reminder that organizations must prioritize diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of race, gender, or disability.
In a nutshell, employers must initiate a prompt and remedial measure following notification of racial discrimination and harassment in the workplace. An employer should also act on an employee’s request for accommodations then engage in the interactive process. Contact our office to discuss whether you may have a claims of employment discrimination in the workplace.
#EEOC #OilandGas #Discrimination
[1] https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/economic-data/manufacturing/2020/southeast.php.