Pros
The Valero Energy group provides good benefits and pay for their employees and if you are a member of an elite group of backside kissers you get paid even better than deserved.
Cons
I cannot speak for the relationship between management and employees at other facilities, but I can give my perspective of the Welcome, MN facility. At this facility you will find some really good people, some really good friends and a career that you may want to take pride in. The good people and hard workers are unfortunately; leaving or are being blackballed out of a job at this facility. I believe it has everything to do with taking pride in your work. Those people that you can count on, that take pride in their work and would ultimately just like to put in an honest day’s work to earn a living, plain and simply aren't being appreciated. There is a good deal of favoritism shown to people that are truly lazy or just have poor work ethics because they know how to "schmooze" or kiss hindquarters. Alternatively, those people that show up every day on time and try to do their best seem to get no recognition at all. This has lead the Welcome facility to a point where a large number of the experienced staff are looking to move on or are being forced to move on; as they question management or are tired of being treated poorly by management because they know more about the position they hold than management themselves. They have tried and tried to move up based on merits, but this doesn’t work as the “schmoozers” are really good at being ‘Yes Men’ and not thinking for themselves. The hard working employees have tried to make improvements to the everyday work life only to have it all demolished by those that really do not care or by poor choices made by management for which they never take credit. I have witnessed such things as a member of management making changes which produced wasted product and then they knowingly let someone else take the blame for the mistake. I have witnessed certain managers turn his/her cheek on a safety issue that he/she was involved in, but others are fired for much smaller issues by comparison. Although most people would choose to do right by the community and donate to a good cause; you will be forced to donate to the United Way and also to volunteer a certain number of hours the Valero only approved events each year. You will be badgered by the administration until you do both of these things and if you make the decision not to do either of these things your raise and bonus are threatened. Suffice it to say that I could go on and on about these issues, but I won't. Just keep an eye open for all of the job postings that come open over and over again and again. The amount of turnover should speak for itself. I wouldn’t not recommend applying for a job at this facility unless you have absolutely nothing in your background check and if you are the type of individual who would have nothing in your background check; you’re too good to work here and will grow frustrated very quickly because of the things I’ve mentioned above. If you do decide to apply for a position at this facility; keep in mind that if you are the sort of individual that likes to take ownership or pride in his/her work, you will be sorely disappointed here as I see no improvements being made at this facility with local or corporate management.