About 70 union production workers have gone out on strike at a Woodbridge Corp. factory in Lithonia.
Members of the United Auto Workers Local 472 want raises and better benefits, including sick days, according to union officials and workers.
The plant makes seating and dashboard components for manufacturers of cars and golf carts. Its main customers are Yamaha, Nissan and Augusta-based Club Car.
“We are trying to make a big change,” said Eli Collazo, chair of the bargaining committee for United Auto Workers Local 472 and a worker at the plant for more than four years. “If we stick together, we can accomplish that. There’s power in numbers.”
Woodbridge’s corporate headquarters are in Ottawa, Canada. A statement from the company Tuesday said it had conducted “extensive negotiations with the UAW” and had hoped for an agreement.
“However, we were disappointed by the union’s decision to strike,” the company said. “Woodbridge remains committed to supporting our teammates and local communities.”