Mitchell A. Skurzewski
Reporter
What appeared to be an uncertain future for Tomahawk Harley-Davidson plant employees earlier this spring, now seems to be more secure, thanks to a recent labor agreement between the company and employee labor unions.
According to a press release from Harley-Davidson, the company now has five-year labor pacts in place at all of its Wisconsin operations.
“Our Wisconsin Operations employees play an essential role in ensuring the strength of our manufacturing operations and our ability to be responsive to our customers around the world, and we appreciate their many contributions,” said Michelle Kumbier, Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “We believe the new contracts will enable us to compete in a challenging business environment and advance our strategy to build the next generation of riders globally.”
“I would like to personally thank the Harley-Davidson Motor Company for the significant investment they just made in the Tomahawk operations, and the loyal and hardworking employees who staff their facilities,” Tomahawk Mayor Steve Taskay said, in a statement he released via social media on Wednesday, April 17.
“As some of you may have heard, a week ago the company and the local United Steelworkers Union were having issues reaching a deal for a new contract. On Monday (April 15), the union announced an agreement was reached and ratified by the workers, which will give them a multi-year contract and also calls for Harley to invest $10 million dollars in the Tomahawk plants.”
Workers represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2-209 and 460 approved the new contract on April 15. Workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Lodge 78 ratified a new five-year agreement April 1. The United Steelworkers reached a deal a day after the extended negotiations deadline of April 14.
The agreements ratified by the USW include a 14-percent wage increase over the life of the five- year contract, a signing bonus, no changes to health care, two separate variable incentive plans, significant pension enhancements for current employees and a retirement incentive for those who are eligible to retire, according to the press release from Harley Davidson. The same agreement was ratified by the IAM.
“Harley Davidson is an American Corporation which builds the finest motorcycles in the world,” Taskay added in his statement. “We are proud that the stamp of Tomahawk and ‘Union Made’ will continue to be seen by cycle enthusiasts on the finest product their money can buy,”
“Thank you again to Harley,and thank you most of all to its workers. If it was not for your hard work and dedication this never would have taken place. You prove daily why Tomahawk is a great place to live, work, and invest in!”