Posted on 08/23/2009 3:10:52 PM PDT by Indy Pendance
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Union workers at Mercury Marine put their jobs at risk Sunday when they rejected a package of wage and benefit concessions the boat engine maker said it needed or it would move their work to a nonunion plant in Oklahoma.
Union leaders did not immediately release Sunday's tally but said the vote was "overwhelming" to reject what the company called its final offer.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1947, represents 850 workers at Mercury Marine, the largest employer in the eastern Wisconsin city of Fond du Lac and the world's largest manufacturer of boat and recreational marine engines.
Mercury Marine issued a statement after the vote saying it will move many of its Fond du Lac manufacturing operations to its facility in Stillwater, Okla., over the next two to three years. The company said it would continue to operate the Fond du Lac facility for now under the terms and conditions of the existing contract, which expires in 2012.
"This has been a very difficult and stressful process for all involved," Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine, said in a statement. "We will work closely with our team in Fond du Lac to develop and communicate a transition plan for this 24-36 month process."
Mercury Marine spokesman Steve Fleming had said last week that if the offer was rejected, the union and company could resume talks and hold another vote this coming Saturday, but its offer would not change.
Local 1947 President Mark Zillges said Friday there would be no further negotiations. He did not immediately return a phone call Sunday seeking comment.
Fond du Lac city manager Thomas Herre called the vote "a huge disappointment."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I just checked Miller Welding Products, Inc. in Appleton, WI for job openings and they had ONE!
The world's largest welding equipment manufacturer has ONE job opening.
Looks like WI is BOOMING!
I live in Madison Wi. This is a disaster for Fond du Lac! I can’t believe that those union idiots voted against contract concessions in this economy. They have NO idea what they’ve done. Fond du Lac will look like Gary IN in 5 years.
Oklahoma, a Right to Work State, will gladly welcome their workers.
The company is not going out of business, it’s going out of Wisconsin. Good!
“I wonder who has put more people out of work. Obama or the unions.”
They are one and the same...change was promised, ya know!
“Folks in Wisconsin that want a job should be able to make this move.”
Bull! They made their bed, let them sleep in it. Why mess up OK with idiots who would vote either to bankrupt their employer or force the company to move? IF you were boss, would you hire any of them?
We are a Right to Work State now and a very good climate for business. Now to get a Republican Governor and we will lower taxes finally. Out with all the Democrats in statewide offices in OK in 2010!
I wonder who has put more people out of work. Obama or the unions.
+++++++++++++++++
Dims one and all..
See my post# 221 as a harbinger of things to come.
I was just in Green Bay this weekend and my father told me about this — I live in TX. He said it was likely the union would reject Merc’s offer. Most Wisconsinites are slaves to the loons from Madison ($1 million for a global warming museum) and the “what can you do for me crowd” of Milwaukee. Doyle won’t even run again for office. highest property taxes in the nation and they’re still $3 billion in the hole? why did I move to TX again?
One day Americans will learn that unions are made up of commie haters of the private sector and do away with them.
I don’t buy from unions, I don’t hire union, and if they ever tried to unionize my company I would move to a place I could do business, or close the doors for good, period.
If my employees don’t like working for me then they can go elsewhere. This is a two-way road, we are both lucky to have the other to count on.
I don’t ‘bargain’ with thugs.
The left ‘strikes’ again.
There are 2000 employees at the plant (850 union), plus including suppliers and other businesses, it is estimated that 8000 workers in total will be affected.
Us: Going from $40k after taxes to $20k is not “making more on unemployment.”
You: I never said you did.
hmmm. you didn’t?
————————————you-—————————————
If the concessions are deep enough, you probably make more on unemployment than if you worked and unemployment is likely to be 92 weeks.
No private voting for workers when unions want to take over. The unions know whose arm needs twisting in a most threatening way to get them to "see it their way".
Are you saying all white collar workers are pukes?
Read the whole article:
If Mercury Marine, a subsidiary of Lake Forest, Ill.-based Brunswick Corp., shuts down the Fond du Lac plant, it would mean an annual loss of $353 million in workers earnings and an additional 5,900 in lost jobs due to the impact on suppliers, government and business in the area, according to the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp.
5900 other jobs dependent on Mercury + 850 union idiots = 6750 and that doesn’t include the non-union types at the plant so the guess is about 8000 total.
I knew this was happening the moment I heard about the union ‘negotiations.’ What’s another 8,000 jobs? We’ve lost tens of thousands already under “Diamond Jim’ Doyle, the rat!
Good thing Doyle is NOT running for re-election. He’s going to be missing some hide when he leaves, though!
Scott Walker for Governor! Listen up, WI GOP. Don’t Ef this election UP! Throw all of your money and resources behind Walker!
It's that fact that made me ok with moving TO Wisconsin. Just moved to the SW corner of the state. Love it here so far, and will be voting in the next election. :)
This is why the Messiah simply must have “Card Check” passed. When that law is put in effect the union simply goes to Oklahoma and takes over that plant.
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