Water company to appeal ruling

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo The Tennessee American Water Co. File photo.

An administrative law judge for the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that American Water didn't give proper notice to federal mediators when it cut health care and other benefits for 3,500 workers in nearly 70 different bargaining units, including 80 workers of the Tennessee American Water in Chattanooga.

The labor board attorney ordered Tennessee American and other utilities owned by American Water to pay backpay with interest.

The Utility Workers Union of America, which filed the charge against the company, estimates American Water's backpay liability in the case to be several million dollars.

But American Water said Monday it plans to appeal the NLRB decision, claiming it did give proper notice of the benefit changes last year.