Contract would cut Harley workforce by more than half

There might be only about half of the current workforce remaining at York's Harley-Davidson plant, but the company has said it will abort its relocation efforts if the plant's union votes to ratify a new seven-year labor agreement.

Workers would lose their right to strike or walk out on the job under the contract. They might also not receive raises for a few years of the contract, and would have to pay more for their health insurance.

But company spokesman Bob Klein said the wages and benefits offered in the proposal are still competitive, and among the best offered by employers in the York area.

After meeting for about four hours at the York Expo Center, union members at the Springettsbury Township plant had widely varied opinions about the proposed contract they saw for the first time Friday.

Some people who left early refused to talk, throwing their hands up in disgust, while others said the proposal could have been worse.

Most seemed to agree employees have little choice but to approve the deal and predicted that is likely to happen.

Randy Schiller, Springettsbury Township: "It's not as bad as I thought," said Randy Schiller, an employee who lives in Springettsbury Township. "I need to look at it more. I'm not going to vote to lose my job. I don't see anything in there that looks like a deal-breaker."

Raymond Doll, of Hellam Township, a 20-year Harley employee said he was disappointed with the amount of people who would lose their jobs under the deal,

but thinks it is a good sign that the company wants a seven-year contract.

Added Craig Dabler, a 21-year employee who lives in Dover Township: "It's generally what I expected. I'll vote to accept it. They don't give us much of an option."

Under a proposal that's part of the agreement, the number of employees at the Springettsbury Township plant will be cut to about 1,000, said Harley spokesman Bob Klein.

There are currently 2,100 union production employees.

Klein said there would be between 700 and 800 union production employees and another 300 to 400 "casual" union employees who are called to work as needed.

Employees who are laid off as a part of the workforce reduction would be considered for those positions, Klein said.

The workers would be laid off over a two-year period, ending in 2012, he said.

Union employees are expected to vote on the proposal on Dec. 2.

Bob Greiman, who has worked for the company for 21 years, also saw the fact that the company is offering a seven-year contract as a sign that the company wants to stay in York instead of going through with a proposal to relocate.

He said the atmosphere at the meeting was generally calm and composed, and he thinks most people will vote to approve the contract even though it involves some concessions.

"People would be stupid if they didn't," he said, adding that turning down the contract would basically push the company to pursue plans to relocate to Shelbyville, Ky.

Shonna Dunkelbarger of Dover Township said the concessions the union is being asked to make are not as drastic as she thought they might be.

"I was expecting a lot worse, I'll put it that way," she said.

She said she has worked for the company for nine years and thinks she'll support the proposal.

Because the economy is suffering, "Harley-Davidson has us in a tight spot," said Kevin Brown, who has also worked for the company for nine years.

He said the contract doesn't call for wage cuts, but there are no wage hikes either.

"The sentiment of a lot of people is that we'll have to vote for it, or they'll pack up and go to Kentucky," he said.

He said he isn't sure how he'll vote on the proposal, but added a lot of people feel like they'll have to support it because they don't have an option.

Union leaders declined to talk about the proposal on Friday.

But on Thursday, union representative Tom Santone, who's handling the negotiations for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 98, said he believes the contract contains the cost cuts necessary to compel the company to stay in York.

Also see

Kentucky governor: Chances of luring Harley away 'diminished'

Details of the proposed contract