The Tennessee Regulatory Authority agreed Monday to allow the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 121, to intervene in a rate case filed by Tennessee American Water.
Despite objections by the water company, regulators granted the petition of the employees’ union to intervene in the utility’s request for a 28 percent rate increase. The Utility Workers of America represents 75 of the 103 employees of Tennessee American and 2,500 employees of the utility’s parent company, American Water Works.
The Chattanooga water company said in its September rate request that nearly $3.2 million of its requested $10 million rate increase was needed to cover increased employee and benefit costs. TRA previously has allowed the city of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Advocate of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office to intervene in the case.