Local 119 has a rich history rooted in the chemical industry. Frontier Chemical opened in the early 1950s, producing chlorine and hydrochloric acid. In 1957, Vulcan Chemical acquired the plant, and in 1961, we received our charter from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

Under Vulcan's leadership, the plant expanded to produce a wide array of chemicals, including:

• Chlorine
• Hydrochloric acid
• Sodium hydroxide
• Pentachlorophenol
• Anhydrous HCL
• Hydrogen
• Sodium hypochlorite
• Perchloroethylene
• Various chloromethanes, including methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloride

Over time, Vulcan closed several plants, including those producing methane, perchloroethylene, and bead caustic.

In 2005, Occidental Chemical acquired the plant. Before OXY gained control, the pentachlorophenol and anhydrous HCL plants were dismantled.