IUE-CWA Members Call on Elected Officials in Tough Contract Fights

Members of IUE-CWA at the Mersen plant in Columbia, Tenn., have issued a public letter calling on elected officials for support amid devastating layoffs and furloughs announced just weeks before the holidays. The workers recently filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint against Mersen, accusing the company of illegally refusing to bargain over the effects of its mass layoffs.

On November 25, 80% of the workforce was furloughed with little warning. Just days later, workers received a second blow—a notice that 25% of the workforce would be permanently laid off, effective December 15. These cuts came after workers won their union election, a move aimed at securing fair pay, job security, and safer working conditions. In response to the union victory, Mersen hired the law firm JacksonLewis, known for its union-busting tactics. To add insult to injury, Mersen continues to ramp up its hiring of temporary workers, a move that exposes the motive for the layoffs is not about cost-cutting but about control.

“This is a betrayal of Tennessee workers and taxpayers,” said IUE-CWA Industrial Division President Carl Kennebrew. “The public invested in Mersen with the promise of good, stable jobs for this community. Instead, Mersen is slashing jobs right before the holidays while raking in record sales and increased profitability.”

The IUE-CWA’s public letter calls on state and local officials, including Governor Bill Lee, Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, State Senator Joey Hensley, and U.S. Representative Andy Ogles, to rescind over $500,000 in public subsidies if Mersen refuses to end furloughs, reverse layoffs, and negotiate in good faith with workers.

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In Campbellsburg, Ind., last week, IUE-CWA workers at Metal Power Products (MPP) delivered a letter to U.S. Representative Erin Houchin asking her to call on the company and its private equity owner, Mill Point Capital, to engage in good faith bargaining. Workers are demanding a fair first contract after months of stalled negotiations and minimal progress at the bargaining table.

“Rep. Houchin has a chance to stand with Hoosier workers and help ensure that MPP and Mill Point Capital do the right thing,” said Randall Baker of the IUE-CWA MPP Workers United Bargaining Team. “All we’re asking for is fairness. We want MPP to meet with us, listen to us, and bargain in good faith. Our families and our community deserve a better, more certain future.”

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.