Don't forget these refineries are going through triple wammy!
1. Ethanol instead of MTBE
2. Sulfur emmissions must be reduced to meet new regulations that are due this year.
3. Shortage of contractors who are incharge of installing, reconfigurations, and repairing.

Most of these work are one time events, so the refineries contract these workers and don't do it internally.  Also, these refineries have to compete with the same contract pool as electric powerplants who are also going through spring cleaning and need lots of repairs and installation of new equipment.

Need to clarify that the utilities also need to meet these new sulfur reduction emmissions that refineries must meet- thus they are competing for some contractors, etc....