IUE-CWA Members at Mersen Protest Layoffs

On February 6, members of IUE-CWA at the Mersen advanced materials plant in Columbia, Tenn., held an informational picket outside the plant in opposition to the company's decision to lay off or relocate workers. The recent decision could impact members starting February 27. Union members accuse the company of using this latest threat of layoffs as a thinly veiled attempt at union busting. This marks the third round of proposed layoffs since workers voted to form their union in 2024.

The company received a grant from the City of Columbia for over $500,000 to expand operations and also recently secured a $10 million contract from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency. "We're fighting to protect Tennessee jobs for us and future generations and to hold this company to the promises it made when it took our public money," said IUE-CWA member Ricky Frierson.

Members thwarted a similar attempt on their jobs just months ago ahead of the 2025 holiday season. They are demanding that the company work with them to keep jobs in Columbia, and to secure a fair labor contract.

Read the full press release here.

IUE-CWA members at Mersen held an informational picket to protest job cuts in Columbia, Tenn., on February 6.