Harley-Davidson could be leaving Milwaukee?

[ThirdWheel]

I read the following and wondered could it happen.


Harley-Davidson Could Leave Milwaukee

Updated: Thursday, 05 Aug 2010, 8:36 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 05 Aug 2010, 7:44 AM CDT

FOX Chicago News

Chicago - After 107 years, Harley-Davidson could be leaving Milwaukee. The company is threatening to move its manufacturing to another state if it cannot bring down labor costs.

Harley's corporate headquarters would stay in Wisconsin, but it would still be a tough blow to the area that's been slowly losing the companies tied to its identity.

Two years ago, the parent of Miller moved its U.S. headquarters to Chicago.

Schlitz, "the beer that made Milwaukee famous," sold out to a Detroit company in the 1980s.

Harley-Davidson is the city's only signature brand left.

[Southern Man]

I would welcome seeing HD move to the south East where they could operate without union labor and also save the cost of doing business in a shakedown area of the country.

How many of us would mind cutting the cost of a tri-glide by 3-4 grand, 2,500 on a 2 wheeler.

MY guess is HD is just trying to get the city to underwrite some taxes and this is their way of getting the citys attention.

[bdn56]

I was hoping they would move down here to Alabama:yes:

I was reading the talks between the Union and HD came to an agreement.

The results were not published at the time but no raises and wage cuts were a big part of it according to the reporter.

If I had a large business and moving to a new location and hire a labor force for $14.00 per hour or stay in the same old place paying $30.00 per hour, I know what I would do.

[BlueTrinity]

The company is threatening to move its manufacturing to another state if it cannot bring down labor costs.

That statement tells it all.

Just like in York, they want the union to make drastic cuts.

[BlueTrinity]

From the Associated Press today....

Harley unions to vote on pay cuts, loss of jobs
Published: September 12, 2010
Updated: 04:08 pm

MILWAUKEE - Harley-Davidson employees in Wisconsin are being asked to vote in favor of a labor contract that will freeze their pay, slash hundreds of jobs and hand large volumes of work to nonunion workers.
As bleak as the proposal sounds, employees may have little choice but to accept it. If they don't, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has threatened to move its last two Wisconsin operations to another state, leaving about 1,350 employees out of work.
Employees are scheduled to vote on the proposed seven-year contract Monday. The results should be available by the evening.

[Gorilla]

From the Associated Press today....

Harley unions to vote on pay cuts, loss of jobs
Published: September 12, 2010
Updated: 04:08 pm

MILWAUKEE - Harley-Davidson employees in Wisconsin are being asked to vote in favor of a labor contract that will freeze their pay, slash hundreds of jobs and hand large volumes of work to nonunion workers.
As bleak as the proposal sounds, employees may have little choice but to accept it. If they don't, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has threatened to move its last two Wisconsin operations to another state, leaving about 1,350 employees out of work.
Employees are scheduled to vote on the proposed seven-year contract Monday. The results should be available by the evening.

I read that the contract was accepted. HD is staying in Milwaukee according to the article I read Friday.

[Shriner Jim]

Any of ya'll been to Milwaukee or Detroit lately???? Ain't a pretty sight.

[oleman69]

Well's there's one thing about it as ugly as the unions history has been over the last century or so even with all the corruption we all have to thank them for all the benifits we enjoy now like breaks, lunch, decent conditions / pay ,laws to protect workers, insurance etc.., as companies/government bust unions granted some need it I wonder what will happen when they are gone and how long it will take for all the benifits go away?