United Steelworkers Union leaders rejected the sixth contract offer Royal Dutch Shell Plc. made to refinery workers, pausing negotiations on Thursday, Feb. 5, according to Reuters.

USW recommended local union leaders reject the sixth proposal, which was proposed following the first major walkouts at refineries since 1980. Approximately 4,000 workers at nine plants, including seven refineries accounting for 10% of U.S. refining capacity, have been on picket lines since Feb. 1 in California, Kentucky and Texas, according to Reuters.

The union is seeking annual pay raises of 6%, double the size of those in the last agreement. It also wants work that has been given in the past to non-union contractors to start going to USW members, a tighter policy to prevent workplace fatigue, and reductions in members’ out-of-pocket payments for healthcare.

Since Thursday, talks have been in recess, pending an information request. USW expects to resume talks at some point, said Reuters.