Harley-Davidson, union reach agreement on expansion

[totalmotorcycle]

Harley-Davidson, union reach agreement on expansion
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - Author: RP news wires - Reliable Plant - reliableplant.com



Harley-Davidson Inc. and leaders of its major Milwaukee-area union have reached a second agreement aimed at inducing the motorcycle manufacturer to undertake a $120 million expansion in the area, officials said November 6.



The new proposal includes a two-tier wage system for newly hired employees, although with smaller gaps than in an agreement rejected last month by members of United Steelworkers Local 2-209. The previous offer would have cut by as much as one-third wages of workers hired after the first of the year.



“Following the rejection of a tentative labor agreement on Oct. 16, the union is returning to its membership with a revised tentative agreement that is expected to add more than 100 new jobs and protect the existing 1,600 jobs coming under jurisdiction of the local,” said union president Jim Wheiland. “Our primary goal all along has been to convince the company to invest in Milwaukee and expand its production here, rather than build in another state. The revised proposal represents an increased investment by the company in Milwaukee and answers a lot of our members’ concerns about the previous offer.



“We appreciate the efforts of Governor Jim Doyle and the state of Wisconsin, who have worked diligently with Harley-Davidson and our union to pursue all available means to keep the jobs in Wisconsin. We are among the highest-skilled and best-paid manufacturing workers in Wisconsin and we produce the best motorcycle in the world. Our priority is to protect the 1,600 jobs we have here at our present wages, and to convince the company to expand production in Milwaukee and add more jobs for people in our community.”



Representatives from the Local and International union are holding informational meetings with the membership on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the offer. The union is withholding details until the members receive the information. A ratification vote is scheduled for November 14.



Harley employs approximately 4,500 workers in the Milwaukee area. It also has a plant in Tomahawk, Wis. In addition, it has operations in Pennsylvania and Missouri.