Our reductions were in December. Warned ahead of time, but other than a pat on the back, we received virtually nothing in additional compensation. They did not feel like they could afford it. The few that are left say moral is very low. Replacement positions elsewhere are almost non existent. In my opinion, we need to quit purchasing from Opec countries and use the domestic supplies to keep us all working, but no one seems to be interested in a push back to Opec cartels.
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First of all, we don't import that much from OPEC. Our net petroleum import rate is the lowest it's been in over 30 years; imports account for 27% of US consumption and OPEC supplies account for only 35% of that amount. Second, completely cutting off trade with Saudi Arabia would destabilize the dollar. We made an agreement with SA and other OPEC countries in the 70's that anyone buying their oil have to pay for it in US dollars, which props up global demand for our money.