Just thought I'd share the latest article on the HD saga. I sure hope they don't leave Milwaukee, it would put a bitter taste in many mouths. I'd like to know what they are asking the union to do.


http://host.madison.com/news/state-a...e65aebff6.html

 

What do they want from the union........give backs and pay cuts would be the first to come to mind. This economy is tearing down many long standing icons.

 

Really disheartening! It's the way things have been going in manufacturing for a few decades now. Sorry to here it.
I feel bad for Milwaukee too!

 

Hard to believe they could ever leave Milwaukee - but in today's global economy, anything's possible. I can see them moving their manufacturing somewhere down South where they don't have to worry about labor unions, but keep the HQ in Milwaukee.

 

I would like to think that the Union leadership would want to keep jobs. The Union workers sure do. But I'm affraid that if history is any indication, the union leadership (above the work-force) has no intention on seeing that through. It would not suprise me to see HD move out of the country in time.

 

This, over the couse of history, has been done by almost every major manufacturer that has union employees. Look at the auto makers, did you see how much money a fork lift driver made? When wages exceed a company's ability to be profitable then they are forced to make changes. I'm not saying I'm for or against unions but when a fork lift driver makes $50 an hour wages are too high.

 

Something the article doesn't talk about is the ridiculous amount of taxes that the state of Wisconsin is leveraging on companies. My mom lives in Milwaukee, since they passed some new tax laws last year, this has been an ongoing discussion. Not sure of the specifics of the new taxes, but my mom had to sell her business because of them.

 

double post

 

The way the economy in this country has slid into the toilet, the next thing you'll see is "Made in China"

 

It would really be a crying shame to see the Motor Co move out of Miwaukee. I was just there in July and I toured the Powertain facility on Pilgrim Rd and visited the Museum (Steel Toe Tour package) and all I can say is "wow!" H-D is keeping the faith and their QA is very impressive when it comes to building our beloved V-Twin engines. Milwaukee Iron is the only thing I've ever known. I can't imagine New Orleans Iron, or Miami Iron. Some things just don't go together. Hopefully they'll get this all sorted out. +1 on the $50 per hours forklift driver. Amazing...