Machinist Union Striking at Tuftco Plant
The union members build and maintain machines for the carpet maker.
They have a variety of issues with the company including safety concerns, forced overtime and seniority questions.
The dispute isn’t as much about money.
The pickets went up this week at the plant and corporate headquarters on Holtzclaw Avenue.
Tuftco officials gave us this statement on the strike:
Unfortunately, the Machinists Union decided to institute this work stoppage after the company offered a wage and benefit package that far exceeds the average manufacturing company compensation plan in the Chattanooga region.
Fortunaley, Tufco Corp. has three other manufacturing plants that are non-union, with two in Dalton, GA and one in Palmer, Tenn. Accordingly, the individuals involved in this particular work stoppage represent less than 10 percent of Tuftco’s total work force. As a matter of fact, all of our non-union employees, as well as some union employees, have crossed the picket lines in Chattanooga and currently there are more individuals working in the plant than those involved in the work stoppage.
We will shift some production to our other plants, in addition to continuing to operate our Chattanooga facility, in order to assure our customers and suppliers that we are conducting "business as usual." we do not forsee this work stoppage having any negative impact on the company for the long term.
It is sad that we have seen outside forces unduly influence our employees and convince them to institute this work stoppage which may cause economic hardship for their families.
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