Harley-Davidson Considers Moving Production Out of Wisconsin

[n2doc]

By JERRY GARRETT
The days of Wisconsin-made Harley-Davidsons may be numbered.

Harley-Davidson said on Tuesday, in announcing improved second-quarter financial results, that a new, more favorable contract with its union workers was essential to keeping the doors of its manufacturing facilities in the state open. The company said the contract must be worked out within 60 days. The labor agreement would replace contracts that expire in April 2012.

“The company seeks to close large cost gaps in its Milwaukee-area and Tomahawk production operations, and improve flexibility to meet seasonal and other customer-driven production needs,” Harley-Davidson said in a statement. If Harley-Davidson is unable to achieve those objectives through agreement with the unions by mid-September 2010, the company has said it will move Wisconsin production operations to another location in the United States.

Harley-Davidson also operates a large manufacturing plant in York, Pa.

Officials of the machinists union were not available for comment.

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http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/harley-davidsons-financial-fortunes-brighten-milwaukees-dim/

[PeaceNikki]

1. This would be soul-crushing to our community that has already lost thousands of blue-collar jobs.

:(

[DebJ]

2. Here in York, we sympathize. All of the few major employers

in the area have gone overseas in the last few years, with many layoffs at Harley, and more to come.

[n2doc]

3. kick n/t

[madokie]

4. Harley Davidson has come a long way

I remember when AMF owned them and they were largely big pieces of oil leaking breaking down pieces of shit but after their restructuring and redesigned engines, (Porche designed btw,) and tranies they've become a good, something to be proud of, American made product. I wish them and Wisconsin well.
Most of all my friends back in the early to mid 70's all bought them. I never liked road rash so I never did but I used to keep their "hogs" alive for them. Not much to do anymore for guys like me as they've improved to not need a mechanic on them or trailing along right behind them. I used to laugh and tell my friends that their motorcycles were getting more miles on them in the back of a pickup truck than they are with their tires on the road.

[mike_c]

5. there's an important subtext in this that no one has mentioned yet....

HD management perceives that there are other potential locations in the U.S. where labor is so depressed and the economy is so bad that workers will gladly work for third world pay and working conditions. That's the only reason this threat has any teeth.

[Lance_Boyle]

6. That would be bad for WI, no doubt. Also potentially really bad for HD.

I assume HD is considering moving to a "right to work" state, or is WI already a member of that club? I don't know of too many states north of the Mason Dixon line that are, but then I'm no expert on the issue.

The last thing HD needs is a return to the days of the "bowling ball bikes."

[mdmc]

7. ..

[TheMightyFavog]

8. They're taking a page out of Mercury Marine's handbook.

Last year, Mercury Marine made a big stink about plans to move their main production facilities from Fond du Lac, WI to Stillwater, OK in order to cut costs. However, After earning some big concession from the union, and a few sweetheart tax breaks from the State and local governments, Mercury marine decided to stay in Fond du Lac, and close the facility in Stillwater.

The worst part was after all was said and done, the Mercury Marine execs got big bonuses.