| Author | Message | ||
     Redponcho |
MILWAUKEE – It's the roar that made Milwaukee famous — the distinctive throaty rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But that much-loved racket could be rumbling away to another state if the company cannot bring down its labor costs. Harley-Davidson warned employees in April that it will move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations elsewhere if it cannot cut millions of dollars at the factories that build the bikes known as "Milwaukee Iron." Harley's corporate headquarters would remain here, but that's small consolation to a community that has already endured repeated blows to its civic identity. "When you think of Milwaukee you think of beer, brats and Harley-Davidson," said Steve Daily, a researcher at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. "Right or wrong, that's what it is." But that's been changing. For example, beer giant Miller Brewing Co. moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2008 after merging with Molson Coors Brewing Co. Then there was Schlitz, which billed itself as "the beer that made Milwaukee famous" until financial and labor problems forced it to sell out to a Detroit company in the 1980s. That leaves Harley-Davidson Inc. as the city's lone signature brand. It's also a magnet for tourists, many of whom want to visit the factories where Harley engines are made. Harley chief executive Keith Wandell said the company will make its decision on whether to move in the next two months. Harley executives are already scouting out other states, though Wandell will not say which ones. The company, he said, would also be open to incentives to keep the 1,630 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin. But the idea that it could move production elsewhere stuns many Harley loyalists. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
If the union doesn't approve a contract by mid-September, they will move. The union will finish out their current contract, I think it is until April 2012. The company has already given one contract to the union, and it was so bad the union leaders rejected it without a vote. | ||
| Strokizator |
I'm not a union guy but I would hate for HD to move away from Milwaukee. Both sides need to see what is at stake and hopefully come to an agreement. I'll be disappointed if they move to another state but moving production overseas will be unforgivable. Hello Victory, it's me. | ||
| Squintz |
Don't these union guy's make somewhere around $35.00 an hour. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
moving to india | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
$28-$40ish. The upper end is skilled trades. | ||
| Trackdad |
Here's my point of view; if the unions renegotiate work contracts will the management manage their bonuses and stock options as well? Paying $175 Million to close Buell sure could have helped renegotiate any contract wheather with vendors, employees, stock holders or even management. This is the type of SH*T Wanna(be)dell played in York and you see where it took the employees, down to half of what they were while Wandell reaped $millions$ in less than a year. I truely believe that these leaders should be charged with Corporate rape! | ||
| Cowboy |
Way to go unions you have damn near shut down America. I looks like if America is to be saved it will be up to the scabs, to do it. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I can't stand the Union bashing by all the fuking idiots here. If you want to make shit for pay, move to China. Why oh why is it ALWAYS the workers fault? Why do workers always have to settle for less while upper management just keeps raking in the cash? It couldn't be from poor management. Nope. Gotta be the workers. Seems a lot here are content with letting the rich get richer while the workers gets screwed. I don't understand. Are you all millionaires? Are you upper management? If you're an average, everyday employee, better watch out. What you hope for may happen to your job. Maybe they'll shitcan you for some cheap labor. Then I bet your piss poor attitude will change. Why should other lower themselves to your pay rate. Wouldn't it be nicer to elevate yours? Maybe YOU'RE not worth it? Must not be. Good bye. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The Union is probably the least of the issues prompting this move. From a business tax standpoint, Wisconsin ranks 42nd worst state. If the Union doesn't budge and HD leaves Wisconsin, they'll move to a state that is more business friendly. If the union capitulates, the same gains can be had. The question is whether or not some is better than none. The Union will have to make this decision. We here in TN are the recipients of California's status as 48th worst business friendly state when we received the headquarters for Nissan. We also are getting a new Volkswagen plant. If HD leaves Wisconsin, they won't be the first or the last to move from a business unfriendly state to a business friendly state. Wisconsin could waive the 7.9% corporate tax rate but they won't. | ||
| Buellerandy |
I blame Doyle... | ||
| Bads1 |
The Union is probably the least of the issues prompting this move. Do you believe that??? | ||
| Fast1075 |
I'm onna keep mah mouf shut thiz time.  | ||
| Rocketsprink |
It's shit like this and the dumb a$$ conservative threads that make the badweb seem less and less like a motorcycle site and more like an extension of "Fox News" (typed while laughing). Too bad. Kinda turning me off to the whole BUELL thing. Has, however, helped me decided to step away from next years Homecoming. Maybe it would be better down in the deep south. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Yes Dana. It isn't the Unions fault. It's shit management. Why can't people get it through their thick skulls? | ||
| Orman1649 |
Sorry, but the majority of unions out there don't give 2 shits about its members. When the union leadership makes double what most of the union is making...there's something wrong. Unions used to be worthwhile....now they just protect all the old deadbeats. I used to work with someone who, when he was even at his desk, was sleeping 50+% of the time. He wanted to get laid off but couldn't because his retention rating was too high so he begged the union to lower it, took a voluntary layoff and a huge severance package. He should have been FIRED...or at the very least had to pay back every damn cent he was paid for sleeping on the job. Thank you union protection. | ||
| Buellerandy |
well, whos idea was it to pay out the keester to shut Buell down? I think theres a bit of proof on Rockets insight. I can imagine that there are unions out there that could easily be a problem, but in this case, I could definitely point my finger at corporate in Hd's case. I mean c'mon...they spray painted the TT as a marketing idea...(sorry analogy but you get the point) | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Yes Dana. It isn't the Unions fault. It's shit management. I agree with Rocco on this 100%. | ||
| Fast1075 |
 | ||
| Spiderman |
Rockey you better step your ass up. I can't plan a homecoming from Detroit again. I ain't gots the resources! | ||
| Bads1 |
Rockey you better step your ass up. I can't plan a homecoming from Detroit again. I ain't gots the resources! You planned it???? Awe come on now I seem to remember a couple Wisconsin Boy's that were here doing alot.  | ||
| Kenm123t |
Rocket as a former union member and union contractor. I cant wait to rid myself of the loser inept and just plain stupid Union workers. I am currently rebuilding a customers home because of them They changed out a 4 ton air handler $ 3000.00 job. left it flooding the customers hard plaster ceilings went back and to her it was normal for water to come out the emergency over flow. 20 x 24 section of lath plaster etc came down The current total isnt in yet on funishings art etc but we are already up to $22,309 looks lke it heading off to over 30 k. Oh and this is just last week. During easter the BA s grandson shot 17 nails in each guest room at a Catholic retreat center that one is up to 19,000 for flooring repairs. I am pressing charges with the LEOS in that town vandalism on permitted site in Fla is a Felony. What did Union do with them gave them a reprimand and said not to do it any more. So the Union bashing will continue. Being so up set about the bashing is it getting to close for comfort feeling a little guilty about something. In the past Unions were needed now they are worse than useless. My family is from Coal country so dont bother to tell me how much they have done for workers i know my grandfather was at the battle of Blair Mountain in WVA when the mine owners dropped bombs from CNJ s on the miners. and the mine owners had the local Leos killed. Union have went from helping the standard of living in the country to the point of killing it If i could i would out source to Mars when Honda has a robot hvac tech and generator tech I ll buy the first one. I m fed up the whiney Union losers | ||
| Spiderman |
You planned it???? Awe come on now I seem to remember a couple Wisconsin Boy's that were here doing alot. Calm down ex Buell rider  I'm just sayin I can't plan a Homecoming, I didn't say I planed the 20th. testy testy | ||
| Bads1 |
Ex??? I still have one in the garage.lol | ||
| Buellerandy |
Kenm, I hope when you say "whiney union losers" that your referring to only "whiney union losers" as I can assure you, there are still plenty of us that bust our behinds as though there wasn't a union  | ||
| Spiderman |
Ex??? I still have one in the garage.lol Sorry, that's the Nurse's  | ||
| Buellerandy |
lol Tony | ||
| Bads1 |
Sorry, that's the Nurse's She rides it.... I work on it and if I remember right my name is on the title. And ohhhhh yeah..... shes my wife. Ummm its mine. Dude.... ya haven't been married long have ya. I ride the 9 frequently.lol | ||
| Mikej |
Is this new News or old News about h-d moving out. If you took the three highest paid people of all employees, consultants, lawyers, contractors, Union management, and vendors/suppliers to the Harley conglomerate and gave me their salaries for one year I could easily live the rest of my life without financial worry. YMMV I guess I need to extend my job search by another 600 miles now. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Do you believe that??? Yes. If the taxable earnings for HD were nearly $1B for 2007, the 7.9% tax rate in Wisconsin would equal $79,000,000. Just by moving to say Florida, HD could save $24,000,000. Add to that the savings in personal tax rate that peaks a 7.75% in Wisconsin. Simply by moving from WI to FL, they could give EVERY employee a raise without spending one dime extra. Short term, the strategy may be to squeeze the union. Long term, HD's days in WI are numbered. Wisconsin is the next Michigan. |
