| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
Hourly production and maintenance workers at Buell Motorcycle Co.'s factory in East Troy will vote June 8 whether to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union. Wisconsin - The union is seeking to represent about 80 employees at Buell, a maker of sport motorcycles. Buell is a subsidiary of Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson Inc., which purchased a 49 percent stake in the company in 1993 before taking full ownership in 1998. Source: Milwaukee Business Journal | ||
| Bikemakr |
If they vote the IAM in they'll probably regret it.... the employees at Husky Injection Molding Systems in Milton, Vermont tried to get the IAM in a couple years ago- the IAM backed out after their value was taken to task and their promises scrutinized. I worked in a IAM shop at General Dynamics years ago and we tried to get them out because the only benefit we saw was the IAM benefiting from our dues... | ||
| Gr8buzz |
Hmmm, So your saying you wont get a pension from the union? You wont get any medical or health benifits from the union? You wont get any kind of pay increase from the union, or job security? (not trying to argue , just curious) Gr8Buzz.......Carve some concrete | ||
| Sleez |
we just voted the union OUT last year. | ||
| Court |
I've got a couple thoughts on this but want to speak to a couple more folks before reducing them to writing. This is an important decision for Buell. | ||
| Davegess |
First I want to say that I am in no way anti-union. I have been a card carrying member of several unions. Some I wish I had not been and others did a good job for us. My hope would be that Buell employees will turn this down AND that Buell management will be able to keep an environment where people do not feel the need for a union. An environment where people can feel part of a team that gets the job done, shares the responsibility and the rewards of these jobs. My concern with a union is that it adds another layer between the vision and the final product, sort of like adding more product planning and marketing committees. The more of these you have the blander the final product. I would like to think that Buell is smart enough to figure how to do this. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Buell has no say in the matter. It's 100 percent up to the employees. Just think. All the Union haters will have even more ammo to rip on Buell. I personally hope the employees do what they feel is in their and Buells best interest. Me? I like the Union I'm in. But that's just my opinion. I don't think it will affect the final product one way or the other. Harley seems to be doing just fine with their Union workers. | ||
| Court |
I've spoken to some folks and have still missed catching one I would like to speak to. None, for the record, are Buell executives. I've known Erik and the folks at Buell for a long time. I had the honor, as the sole owner present at the making of the 100,000th Buell, to be among friends and snap the group picture of Erik and all the folks who have been with Buell for over 10 years. I took similar pictures on Jefferson Street years ago with most the same folks. People tend to stay. Throughout the years I've seen most the changes at Buell. I'm willing to concede that the hyperbole stories of the very early years where Erik was going without meals so employees and vendors could get paid promptly, are not germane here. I'm thinking the 1993 to present time period. Buell is a company that has allowed talented people to do amazing things. Folks who would be otherwise stifled, if constrained by their "paper credentials", have innovated and shone at Buell. Buell is a place where folks who'd otherwise be relegated to the bottom rung of a corporate caste system become heroes. . alone and in teams. Yeah . . you’ve guessed right. . . I've a couple stories. You guys have never met Nate and Dez; they were two of my heroes. In a world where QA/QC has taken on all sorts of high tech components, they reminded me there is nothing like a pair of human eyes. One day my phone rings, it's Nate. . "Court, can you come look at something?" I get there and he says "this motorcycle has been though all the checks but I don't think something is right". Immediately pulled the uncrated bike off to the side and he was dead right. On another occasion, bear in mind all these two fellows had to do to be doing "their job" was put the motorcycle in a crate. . that was it . . in a crate earned and A+ but they ALWAYS went light years beyond, it was Nate's keen eyes who spied the KMH on the bike headed for England. The salient attribute is that they were damned good at what they did and damned proud of it. April and Laurie remind me of a pair of impish ornery high school girls. They are always smiling and I've never, of all my strange urgent requests, heard anything but "no problem". They are the best at what they do and recharge my enthusiasm each time I see them. I once watched a Buell employee, after being ordered to "ship that bike today" by a Harley-Davidson exec say "no, it's not ready and the right part will be here tomorrow, it can wait". An argument followed and the Buell employee flatly said "I am not shipping anything that's not right" and took the frickin' keys and build sheet and hid them! I have the e-mail I wrote Erik when this happened. This guy was proud of what he did, did it better than anyone in the world and no one was getting him to deviate from Buell's 5 guiding principles. People sometimes scoff at building any product by hand. I've always replied that Buell has Elves for the same reason that NASA puts Astronauts in the capsule. . . there are times when there is no substitute, no instrument or computer that can outdo a proud, trained and dedicated human. The people at Buell are special, more special than many of them know. They've literally become THE fish in THEIR pond. As the world screamed "not a chance in hell" these folks kept building through all the tough times, all the recalls and all the uncertainty. The choice of pursuing some elusive "security, benefits and equity" though an outside, long disinterested 3rd party, to me, is preposterous. I think there are some problems and personnel issues at Buell that warrant exploring some new approaches. I'm not sure that voluntarily surrendering to become the smallest fish in a large pond serves my friends well. I have questions that I do not know the answers to but as I see the HD market soften I have fears of what happens when the IAM and HD decide 100 folks have to go (like Ducati just did) and all of a sudden guess who the 100 with the least seniority are? I never want to see someone telling Mike Juliano (one of Buell's most amazing "people rising" stories) how many Buells he can build in a day. You have no idea the goose bumps I got when he went through the story about how the folks who build the bikes decided what to do on November 16th to make certain they'd hit 100,000 at 11:20AM on the 17th of November. Imagine that . . . an environment where the folks who are turning the wrenches get asked "what do you think is the best thing to do?” I deal daily with a union who tells folks "you'll put in 100' a day . . . that's it!" No doubt about it. . Buell has some things to deal with. . . such is the price of success and growth. But I am a firm believer that those problems need to be dealt with by having direct interaction between Buell line professionals and execs, not through a 3rd party. To me that's too much like selling out. I remain confident that Jon Flickinger, Erik Buell and the folks at Buell are the best ears to listen and the best hands to craft the needed changes. I read the letters the IAM wrote to Flickinger and they were taunting and insulting. I know these people well, know them professionally and know them personally. I know their values and hearts and their genuine dedication to everyone in the organization. Buells about people. It was in 1987, it was while I was an employee and it is now. Buell is made of of good, dedicated, honest folks fully capable of building the best environment possible through their own efforts. I hope, once again, that the vote to have a union represent Buell employees once again is rejected. . . no one can represent Buell employees. . . like Buell employees. Court Canfield New York City | ||
| Daves |
I agree Court | ||
| Xlcrguy |
I'm with Court! | ||
| Anonymous |
The union has withdrawn the vote! Buell stays union-free! | ||
| Court |
That is correct and it is welcome news. The hard working people at Buell are fully capable of resolving whatever issues they may have. Buell has grown. Growth brings change and threatens the fraternity within a company. There was a time I could name every person at Buell, their wife/husband or significant other and usually their kids. Buell has grown and even as some of that slips away, just as my sons now live far from me, the concept of family and caring have not left. Congratulations to some of the most loyal, dedicated folks I've ever had the pleasure of serving and standing in awe of. There are tremendous challenges and opportunities ahead. I can think of no one more qualified to meet them head on than my friends "The Elves". You guys are the best . . . congratulations for taking command of your collective futures. Court Canfield New York City | ||
| Davegess |
Very cool news. Buell can continue to move forward AND continue to have a team of individuals with a common goal. I am sure there are challanges that the company faces, growth always changes things and stuff that worked for 25 employees does not always work for 125. I am confidant that Buell can build an enviroment were everyone feels like they get a fair deal and are contributing to the common good. Kinda reminds me of the difficulties that arose when the engineering team grew from two guys to tens guys and purchasing team went from 1/2 a guy to three guys. The old system didn't work and a new one was needed. Buell built that system. | ||
| Anonymous |
It is true. The IAM did not have enough support so they have withdrawn their petition. I would hate to be the union-backing employees at Buell tomorrow morning!  | ||
| Anonymous |
}Congrats Buell employees! Erik keep rocking on and doing what you do best!!! | ||
| Davegess |
I would hate to be the union-backing employees at Buell tomorrow morning! I would hope that tommorrow morning would be the first day of welcoming these folks back to the team with open arms. Like the prodigal son, slay the fatted calf and celebrate; do not ostracise. After all the folks wanted what they thought was best for Buell and their future; they just look at it a bit differently. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Some of you people just confuse the hell out of me. Union does not equal evil. Unions do more good than bad. It's only the bad that gets reported on, like most news. That being said, I hope all the joy and good will continues. Buell may be "Buell" but it's still OWNED by a rather large company that can make sweeping changes when ever they see fit. Good OR bad. All the happy feelings in the world won't change that. I hope Buell is allowed to continue and do what they do best. Build bikes I love to ride. | ||
| Davegess |
Rocket, I am a pro uniun guy anbd have been a card carrying member of several locals; I just don't see the need for one at Buell. HD steps in to run the show I might change my mind. | ||
| Court |
>>>I would hate to be the union-backing employees at Buell tomorrow morning! I absolutely agree with Dave Gess. Tomorrow is the next day at Buell. Be mindful that one of the elements that make Buell special is diversity. Diversity in gender, national origin, creed and the ways different folks see the world. I know some of the folks who came down on both sides of this issue. I visited and listen to differing viewpoints. I strongly believe that each and every one of them had Buell's interest at heart. It's time to move ahead, we've lots to do and polarization is not part of the plan. I do not think unions are bad. I think, in large part, they are an idea who's time has come and gone. Bear in mind my Grandfather, Father and I have all been members of the union. Grandfather was an organizer. In fact, his company cut his pay in half when they caught him organizing. Changes he made resulted in sweeping improvements in the work place. I was greeted, when I tried to enter my office, in New York City today by the signature huge inflatable rat and a group of union organizers standing outside screaming and trying to intimidate folks that they'd be fired if they didn't fall in line. There was a warm comfort in knowing that I do what I do so well I need no one to "protect" me. My job security comes from being the best, the very best, at what I do. I know, as I said earlier, folks at Buell on both sides of this issue and would be proud to have any of them on any team I was one. I expect them to be side by side building bikes tomorrow. . . it's been years since I bought a motorcycle and I'm gettin' the itch. Court P.S. - to the fellow who wrote me asking about Buell hiring and retaining the best people and wanting to know why Dave Gess and I were no longer there . . .  . . well, I couldn't cut the mustard and would you hire a guy as old as Dave? Geeeessh. | ||
| Court |
I have a long standing personal rule that I post no pictures taken at any event, in the factory or at any function that is not public. I'm going to break that rule one time to show you why I feel so strongly about the people at Buell.  It's less important, for the instant conversation WHO it is, than how she does what she does. I've spent 19/53 of my life helping Buell customers and am proud to have anted up some pretty innovative fixes and saves on short order. In not a single one of these have I ever been anything but a conduit between the source of the solution and the need for the solution. I have so many stories where I needed special things done quickly and this gal came through smiling every minute. I'll share, yes I have another story, yet one more story with you . . . Daytona 1997. I'm getting ready to leave the factory on my old signature black S-3 with the www.buell.com on the bags. It's no secret that we're struggling to get the bags right and poor Dave and Doug have been busting their humps trying to turn a beer budget into champagne luggage. . . it's a loosing battle but the new latches and revised cams seem to be doing the trick. An hour before I am set to blast off I run back to the line and have this gal, and her cohort, put together 7 "fix-it-anywhere-anytime" kits for me to take. There's the nifty security tool and I'm a pro at defeating the locked closed bag by unscrewing the hinge, pulling the pin, opening the bag from the bottom, splitting the halves and completely rebuilding and adjusting the latches in under 10 minutes. She puts the parts in a bag, we write down what I took and I'm on the road. I'd been in Daytona less than 2 days and I'm beat. . . riding out to do another long day of demos and I see a guy in the gas station I pass fiddling with the bags on an S-3. I toss a u-turn, loft the front wheel crossing the median and stop with the rear brake allowing the rear wheel to slide around about 90o as I stop next to the guy with BUELL plastered in white on the side of the black bags on my bike.
I pop open my tank bag, grab the plastic organizer full of parts and set about "breaking in" his bags. Off comes the old latches, out with the old operating rods, the backing plats and the cams and in with the new. As soon as I was done I did a 60 second overview, showed him how I had performed the engagement adjustment, showed him how to gently press on the bag with his thigh as he operated the latch, thanked him for buying a Buell and sped off. It was about a week later that the letter arrived saying "I finally figured out who the "Buell Ranger" was" thanking me. The guy wrote to Wilke saying "this is the first time my bag wouldn't open. Not 30 seconds after I have the problem this S-3 comes speeding up, the guy guts and replaces the entire inner workings and sped off" Frankly. . . it was the gal in the picture who pretty much taught me everything I knew about Buell latches. No one knew more than her and I was honored to the the Buell "on the road" outreach delivery instrument. Many of you don't know it but these peoples hearts and souls are in each and every bike that leaves that East door. Court P.S. - I also responded to an accusation from a livid HD person and had to answer to a "Court was seen stealing parts from the factory". All the Elves got a good laugh out of that one. | ||
| Xlcrguy |
Great one, Court. Inspiring. And couldn't be a more appropriate picture heading that up. My pal, standing there with her tube frame S2 sweatshirt, leaning on a rack of XB12 frames, with the BLAST! logo in the background! Awesome. Thanks!!! | ||
| Blake |
Classic. And a good illustration of why I take offense when anyone starts talking smack about Buell. Buell is people, they happen to design and manufacture motorcycles. May God bless 'em. | ||
| Anonymous |
Here is a post from an anonymous guy who posts far, far, less than people here think. This is Erik. Court sent me a copy of a post or two from here, so I decided to drop in. I just want to say that very few pro-union folks are going to get any grief, and that none of it will come from me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and opinions vary because different folks have different access to knowledge. I am positive that a union would be bad at Buell, but I am exposed to different information than others have, so I can see how some might reach a different conclusion. But we have a lot more knowledge among each other than many organizations, and a lot more confidence in each other as well. Happily we made it through this, and will continue to be a lean and close group. Together we stand! | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
I can't wait to read the book........  | ||
| Rocketman |
Here is a post from an anonymous guy who posts far, far, less than people here think. This is Erik. Blake, this fella should be banned from the BadWeB for exposing Erik Buell  Rocket | ||
| Court |
Wow. . . Blake may be the one vetting Anonymous posters, but I can tell that's a GENUINE Erik Buell post . . . there are no spelling errors! Back to stories. . . . years ago we were having a problem at Buell. I write a typically lengthy diatribe spelling out an analysis and suggested method of handling it (woe be unto the person who bitches to Erik without a proposed solution in hand) and e-mail it to him. About two days later I find a copy of the e-mail in my "in box". Like my 4th grade papers in school it's covered in red ink, spelling and grammar corrected. I've learned, these days, to not send anything to Erik without first spell checking and re-reading it. Yeah . . I saved the copies of some good ones. . . remind me to tell you sometime. Now . . .back to building motorcycles. . . we've got a world out there to whoop up on. Court | ||
| Blake |
"Exposing Erik Buell"? You must be confused. Court is the one who's been exposed. You were there. He did it all on his own and entirely without shame. You were the one wearing the skirt. You were also without shame. There are pictures. This may be part of the reason why the union was scared away from Buell. | ||
| Court |
You make a valid point. . . frickin' engineers and their data. | ||
| Rocketman |
Nowt wrong with hoisting a skirt or two between friends. Well, close friend that is. . . . . . . . . .  | ||
| Hooliken |
Not to beat the proverbial dead horse but I must comment on this. I whole heartedly agree that Unions are not necessarily needed in all circumstances but you cannot fault all of them for the bad press of a few. Also there are many companies that honestly cannot afford to have a union represent their employees because the union is going to look out for the employees not the CEOs. Take my situation. After my military career came to an end I went ahead and got my butt in college and got my degree. Then on to a well known world wide company where I plugged away for a decade, working long hours and on call basically 24/7. I busted my ass to get to a level in a company of over 10,000 employees to be one of only TEN that could do my job. Fast forward to the Spring of 2005. Due to the fact that for 2004 we only made the company 18 million in profit instead of 20, which in their eyes was a 2 million dollar loss, they took my pension and hacked my benefits in half. What they offered me and some others to stay was a complete insult to every hardworking American worker in this country. I was one of only a few who had balls to tell them exactly what they could do with their new "compensation" plan. Since leaving in June of 2005 I have received no fewer than 15 phone calls begging (yes begging) me to come back. I simply inform them that they could not afford me. It may be a waste of education but I since joined a trade union and have never been happier. I spend more time with my family and pretty much make as much if not more income than when I was working 90 to 100 hours a week. I will also share the story of my Dad and his four brothers. They are all depression era kids so they pretty much all either went to war or had to quit school to support the war effort or their family. Well they all became over the road Truck drivers for different companies. My Dad being the only Teamster. They are now all retired and my Dad is the only one with any kind of pension to speak of. Moral of the story is do not bash Unions if you have no personal experience with them. I grew up in a union family and remember a couple years growing up (strike years) when we may or may not eat that day. But my Dad stood up for what he believed in and it left a lasting impression on me. Unions are there to make sure that the people who actually do the work are receiving a fair wage and benefits. The trade I belong to is relatively small compared to others. All of us can go to meetings and have a say it what happens. We ALL see how much dues money comes in and WE collectively decide what to do with this income. In my eyes my union brothers and I are making a valiant attempt to keep American jobs in America. I am not one of those that is against global commerce. But I believe that we have got to do a better job of taking care of our own. I have been on many different jobs for many different companies and have yet NOT been offered a job to leave my trade and go to work for them. After what happened to me last time that will never happen. My union has made sure that my Employers pay for ALL of my health care and benefits and I get an honest wage for an honest days work. Saying that Unions do not belong just does not sit well with me at all. I have seen first hand both sides of the fence and I will stay on the union side...thank you very much. Rant Off |
