Mersen Workers Picket in Columbia Over Planned Layoffs

Issue #662

February 10, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Overcast w/ high of 71, low of 44

📰 Mersen Workers Picket in Columbia Over Planned Layoffs

🏃‍♂️ Maury Regional Foundation to Host Mule Kick

🩸 African American Blood Donors Needed

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Mersen Workers Picket in Columbia Over Planned Layoffs

Union workers at the Mersen plant in Columbia held an informational picket Friday, Feb. 6, protesting layoffs scheduled to take effect later this month. Workers walked outside the plant entrance for about 30 minutes, raising concerns that the planned job cuts disproportionately affect union members.

According to the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA), Mersen plans to shut down its LWG Department and relocate approximately six jobs from Columbia to Pennsylvania, with layoffs expected to begin Feb. 27. Workers argue the decision comes despite the company’s global scale, recent government funding, and ongoing hiring at the facility.

Mersen began operations in Maury County in 2019 through a partnership with local industrial development boards under Project Bravo. The plant officially opened in 2023 at the former Union Carbide and Graphtech Advanced Tech site on Santa Fe Pike. Workers at the facility unionized in 2024, shortly before the company announced a major furlough affecting roughly 80% of the workforce in December of that year.

Additional layoffs were discussed in late 2025 but ultimately postponed. However, concerns resurfaced following the company’s recent announcements of new contracts and prior state infrastructure grant funding, which workers say conflict with claims that layoffs are necessary.

Union representatives say employees are continuing to push for job retention in Columbia and are calling for negotiations toward a fair union contract. Organizers indicated that picketing efforts will continue as they seek broader community support.

Maury Regional Foundation to Host Mule Kick

The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, in partnership with First Farmers and Merchants Bank for the fifth consecutive year, will host the 26th annual Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia.

Proceeds from the 2026 Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot provide funding for Maury Regional Health’s mobile health unit, which delivers health care services to at-risk and underserved individuals throughout southern Middle Tennessee by providing basic health screenings, education and resources. A portion of the proceeds from the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot will also support the Foundation’s Wellness and Aquatics Complex Healthy Living Endowment and the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Maury County school with the most participation in the 5K will receive a donation to their P.E. program from the Foundation.

“The Mule Kick 5K is more than just a race; it is a community-wide effort to bring life-changing health care directly to those who need it most,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “By participating, you are putting our mobile health unit on the road to provide screenings and education for at-risk individuals across our region. We are incredibly grateful to First Farmers and Merchants Bank, who has served as our presenting sponsor for five years, and all our supporters for helping us stride toward a healthier community.”

The race will begin on Saturday, April 11, at Riverwalk Park in Columbia with an 8 a.m. start time for the 5K and a 9:15 a.m. start time for the 1-Mile Trot. Both runners and walkers are encouraged to participate. Participants may register for the race online at runsignup.com/MuleKick5K.

To learn more about the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, the Mule Kick 5K & 1-Mile Trot or to make a donation to the community health fund, which supports the mobile health unit, visit MauryRegional.com/Foundation.

African American Blood Donors Needed

As Black History Month has begun, Blood Assurance is highlighting the need for African American blood donors to support local patients living with sickle cell disease. The condition primarily affects African Americans, and many patients depend on closely matched blood and regular transfusions to survive.

Nearly one in three African American donors is a potential match for a sickle cell patient, yet African Americans make up only a small percentage of the nation’s blood donors, creating challenges for patients who rely on ongoing blood support.

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit and the primary supplier for most of the hospitals in Middle Tennessee, including Maury Regional, so donations make an impact on local patients. Upcoming blood drives include:

Maury Hills Church 02/22/2026 101 Unity Drive
8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Spring Hill Public Library 02/23/2026 144 Kedron Parkway
10:00am - 2:00pm

Maury Regional Medical Center 02/25/2026 1224 Trotwood Avenue
7:00 am 5:00 pm

Texas Roadhouse Spring Hill 02/25/2026 1065 Crossings Circle
3:00pm - 7:00pm

Belk Columbia 02/26/2026 2101 Brookemead Drive Columbia Maury
1:00pm - 5:00pm

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, February 11th

Thursday, February 12th

Friday, February 13th

Saturday, February 14th ❤️

Sunday, February 15th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, February 10
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, February 12
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s (Spring Hill), 6–9 PM
The French Family - Cherry Theater (CSCC), 7 PM
Patrick McCormick - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
A Valentine’s Tribute to the Sounds of Sinatra - The Mulehouse, 8 PM

Friday, February 13
Hannah Caffey - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Troy Castellano - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Escape - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

Saturday, February 14
Sweet Niece - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Winter Series: The Bourbon Gospel - 7:30 PM
Herrick Duo - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

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