Harley-Davidson is offering voluntary layoffs to some of its workers in three Milwaukee-area plants.
Cyril Huze says the move comes as the manufacturer hopes to hire seasonal-part time workers to help meet demand at peak times.
They’re trying to reduce full-time staff at the plants by 26 per cent, or about 250 workers, to make way for the part-timers. After December 23, the company will begin involuntary layoffs, hiring the part-timers next spring.
This move has been in the works since 2010, when Harley-Davidson signed a new seven-year contract with 950 union workers. Harley-Davidson expects to save $50 million annually, starting in 2013, thanks to the changes in that contract.
TB, you sound like a bitter union worker.
We havent seen the botom of this ression yet.
I think the whole of North America will have to get used to living on less money.
sounds like harley is on its way to china. race to the bottom.
In other words, if you are a young, ambitious worker looking to find your place in the “American dream”, Forget about a job with this company. Just like so many other north american manufacturers… part time hours, low hourly rate, few or no benefits,etc. etc. No commitment to the worker and then the Harley marketing types will wonder why their market share keeps dropping. Nobody can purchase over rated, overpriced motorcycles on on part-time slave wages. The cycle continues downward!Â