Many at Harley thinking 'yes' but fear vindictive votes (video)

Harley-Davidson employees have much to consider in coming days as the consequence of their upcoming contract vote resonates personally and with county residents, businesses and government officials.

The company has told some 2,100 union members that a yes vote Dec. 2 would secure the plant's existence in York County and that it would halt efforts to move the plant. But the contract also would base raises on the economy, increase medical benefits costs and cut about 50 percent of union jobs.

The question many employees and residents posed is whether embittered employees facing unemployment would approve the contract that would secure at least 1,000 jobs as well as peripheral jobs and businesses linked to the company.

"There are a lot of vindictive people," said Deb Sauble, a 51-year-old who has worked 18 years at Harley. "I don't know if I'm going to have a job, but I'm going to vote yes and hope I can keep my job."

State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York City, said he empathizes with union workers who, like many Americans, face financial problems due to the economic collapse. As with automobiles and other industries, people stopped buying luxury items, including Harley-Davidsons.

"(Workers) did nothing to contribute to that, and they might negotiate a better plan, but the reality is, in this economy, they don't have much of a choice," he said. As for the vote, DePasquale said in a democracy, (in a) contractual organization, people have the right to vote for what they want.

"There will be ramifications either way," he said. "My hope is that we keep Harley."

Harley worker Bob Greiman says he wants to keep his job, but knows his department, called the tool crib, could be eliminated with the proposed downsize. He says his 21-year seniority at the plant would likely secure his employment.

The 51-year-old West Manchester Township resident says he'll approve the seven-year contract to remain employed and keep the plant in York. And he says he'd affirm the contract even if he faced unemployment.

"There are concessions; there are," Greiman said. "There are things I don't like, but look at the day and age we live in."

He, like other Harley employees, says everyone is angry, that morale is bad and some union members might vote against the contract out of spite and vindictiveness.

The company has offered retirement packages that include a $10,000 payout and severance. Greiman said that's a fair deal and one that he'd take in a heartbeat if he didn't have child support payments to make.

Matt Karr has 10 years at the plant, which makes him susceptible to job cuts. He's 47 and married to Brenda Karr, who also works at Harley, although she's out of work for now because of an on-the-job injury. He says the two of them have shored up personal finances in case the plant does leave because they'd both be out of work.

They'll both vote for the contract, but if he were older, he said, he'd consider the retirement package.

Sauble also says she's too young to take the company's retirement package. She works in the warehouse and says she needs her job as much as contractors and others depending on Harley need theirs.

Businesses include MPC Industries in Lancaster County, which supplies machined plastics to the plant, and Hanover-based Leonhardt Manufacturing Co., a 90-employee tool and die firm, which supplies chrome work, Sauble said.

"It's not just me and my job," Sauble said. "There are a lot of other people depending on Harley."

Rutter's Farm Store certainly could survive without Harley, but night shift leader Jessica Wisner said there's been a significant drop in business since Harley imposed a two-week layoff. She says the economy is bad as it is, and a defunct plant won't help York County residents who are struggling to get by -- or move on.

She's 27, has two children and her husband works in Maryland. They've tried to sell their Springettsbury Township home for the past year and recently reduced the asking price by $20,000.

"I'm sure we'd cut hours here," she said about the convenience store on the corner of Route 30 and North Hills Road.

The store is busy around the clock with customers buying gasoline, snacks or coffee. She says Harley workers she talks to are angry about the contract and the pressure they're feeling determining their fate, and the plant's.

Rutter's customer Leo Ojeda Jr. doesn't work for Harley but his girlfriend, Julie Ortiz, works as a cook for the food vendor that runs the plant's cafeteria. Ojeda said he and Ortiz are afraid she'll lose her job if the plant closes. He's been surviving as a self-employed mechanic, but says they'd be in trouble without her income.

Ortiz began her job search months ago but hasn't had any luck finding work.

"No one is hiring," Ojeda said. "If Harley goes, it's just going to get worse in York and it's already bad. Crime will go up, more people will be unemployed and there aren't any jobs."

The company has thrown the ball in the union's court, and some union members say there is no choice but to approve the contract. Otherwise, all jobs will be lost.

Arch Downey is a 46-year-old welder who doesn't work for Harley, but says as a former union worker he understands the difficulty of concessions. He says employees should take a look at the boon they'd had before the economy spiraled, when everyone profited from Harley.

Downey, of Emigsville, said employees were treated well but the company probably isn't seeing the profit it wants.

"They're going to have to make most of those concessions," Downey said and added that things might change as the economy improves. "Sometimes, you don't get the best horse for the race, but you can still make it win if you want to."

-- Reach Kathy Stevens at 505-5437 or ksteven s@yorkdispatch.com.