(Updates with Shell statement, paragraphs 4,5)
HOUSTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - With just a week of bargainingleft until the national contract for U.S. refinery workersexpires, the United Steelworkers union (USW) said talks with oilcompany representatives for a new pact were going slow,according to a Twitter message sent to members.
"It's time for the industry to get serious about addressingissues that matter to USW members," the message said. "Be readyto stand up and fight back!"
The USW rejected the first industry proposal on Friday,calling it "inadequate and offensive," according to a messagesent to members.
A spokesman for Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the leadnegotiator for U.S. refinery owners, confirmed that an initialoffer had been made to the USW, but declined to discuss details.
"We remain optimistic that a mutually satisfactory agreementcan be negotiated with the USW," said Shell spokesman RayFisher.
Negotiations in 2012 saw at least five contract proposals rejected before an agreement was reached just hours beforecontract expiry.
The Steelworkers are seeking annual pay raises double thoseof the last agreement. The union also wants work given tonon-union contractors to go to USW members, a tighter policy toprevent fatigue and reductions in members' out-of-pocketpayments for health care. [See FACTBOX ID:L1N0V100E]
The current agreement expires at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 1.
The union and refiners have made preparations for a possiblestrike in February. The last nationwide refinery workers' strikewas in 1980 and lasted for three months.
A USW spokeswoman said the union's message should be clearto the oil companies.
"The workers just want the companies to take thenegotiations seriously and to know that the workers meanbusiness," said USW spokeswoman Lynne Hancock. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by David Gregorio andClarence Fernandez)