Maintenance mechanics who walked off the job at the Mueller plant in Chattanooga earlier this month in a contract dispute with the water valve and fittings manufacturer agreed Wednesday to a new four-year contract.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 56, who ended a week-long strike Sunday, voted Wednesday to ratify a new labor agreement with Mueller.
“We were able to achieve enhancements in pay for all classifications, and some workers got additional vacation pay as well as another floating holiday,” Keith McFarland, a business representative for the union, said in a telephone interview Wednesday evening. “The company knows that employees are key to their overall success, and they worked with the union negotiating committee to make changes, close some of the pay gaps and end up with what I think is a fair and good contract.”
The union represents 102 of the 592 employees who work at the 57-year-old factory off of Amnicola Highway.
McFarland said talks continued through this week after union members agreed to a temporary contract extension of the old labor pact and returned to work on Monday following their week-long walkout. Last week’s strike at Mueller was the first at the plant since 1976.