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ExxonMobil has been put on notice by the United Steelworkers Union that its members will go on strike at 12:01 eastern standard time Wednesday, if a new contract is not agreed to by then.

The nationwide strike by the USW Union has the potential to shut down not only ExxonMobil refineries, but also as many as 69 refining facilities in the country. If the work stoppage occurs. it could curtail six-percent of U.S. refinery capacity within the next 48 hours.

All USW members received word of the planned work stoppage Monday and the message sent to Billings ExxonMobil Local 11-470 members says, "among the ExxonMobil locations slated to be on strike as of late tomorrow night is the one right here in Billings. We have heard nothing yet about the role we may play, but expect things to move pretty fast from here on out."

USW spokeswoman Lynne Hancock says union leaders are still discussing the details of a possible strike, including whether it would target a few specific refineries or become a nationwide action.

All three Billings-area refineries are working under three year contracts that expire around the first of February. The threatened work stoppage has the potential to impact not only Exxon Mobil but also the Conoco and CHS refineries.