Brown, 53, says the proposal simply includes too many give-backs of perks union members worked for years to secure.

But Ray Ebersole says he plans to vote for the contract.

He doesn't have much of a choice if he wants to keep working at the Springettsbury Township plant, he said.

Wednesday's vote will affect whether Harley-Davidson stays in York County or shutters that plant and continues looking at building a new one in Shelbyville, Ky.

Company officials have said if the union approves its contract, they will abort relocation efforts and sink $90 million into the local plant.

Some workers have said they believe company officials, while others say they suspect the suggested relocation was a ploy, a lie, meant to undermine negotiations and back union members into a corner.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, union members vote on a seven-year contract that cuts paid time off, increases employee health insurance contributions and virtually eliminates pay raises until 2017.

Unhappy, but ...: "If we could negotiate, I would vote it down, but I want to keep my job," Harley worker Matt Karr said.

Karr, of Hellam Township, said the decision is simple. "You can stand your ground, but the end result -- it doesn't help us as employees." He said he expects a "yes" vote. He said he thinks most of the people who would vote down the contract are either retiring and want to stick it to the company, or they know they would lose their jobs.

Brown has worked at the plant for nine years, part of that time as a welder. He says he was moved to assembly when the plant downsized and, as a result, took a $70-per-week pay cut.

"I don't know about others. A lot of them say we have to vote
for the contract to save jobs in York (County)," Brown said Monday from his Springettsbury Township home. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm voting no because I don't like what they are doing to us."

His job would most likely be cut. The company currently employs about 1,900 union production workers. The new contract calls for a union work force of about 1,000, which includes 700 to 800 production workers and 300 to 400 "casual" union production employees called to work as needed.

But Brown says he's not concerned because he never fell into the trap of the "bigger-better-more" lifestyle and his finances are as secure as they can be.

Looking at losses: His decision is based largely on losses. Brown, like other employees, would pay higher health insurance premiums and deductibles. And while he realizes many people don't have insurance, he says the change still hurts his wallet. Although he likely will be cut, he says he'd vote the same way if his job weren't jeopardized by the not-open-for-negotiation contract.

"(The company) is taking back everything the people fought for years and threw it out the window," he said.

He says the sting wouldn't be as bad if the company at least threw in a 1 percent annual wage increase that would help remaining employees keep up with cost-of-living increases.

Ray Ebersole is a welder who has worked for Harley 17 years.

He says he'll lose $1.65 an hour because of the reorganization, but isn't as concerned with that as the deductible he'll pay, which he estimates at about $5,000 annually to insure himself, his wife and their three teenage children.

Still, the 42-year-old plans to vote for the contract.

Resent public's attacks: He and Brown agree on one thing: Neither understands criticism of Harley employees by some members of the public who have said Harley workers are overpaid, greedy and lazy.

Brown doesn't comprehend why people are angry -- he worked to learn a trade and jumped through hoops to obtain a good job, he said.

"What's wrong with that?" Brown said.

Ebersole says he doesn't understand the vitriol he hears from county residents.

"I don't respond to stereotypes, I mean, am I supposed to apologize because I got a good job, because I learned a trade?" he said. "Complain about the CEOs and sports figures getting millions and let (the public) realize the community is what it is because of our good-paying jobs."

Karr said he could understand how some county residents could complain, but he said critics of Harley workers should scrutinize the company's executives first.

"The people at the top are getting all the money," he said.

While Karr said he understands the company must remain competitive and that some employees should be cut during a recession with less production, he's troubled with how the company is cutting employees.

"The employees are the easiest way to cut the fat, but not the best," he said.

Karr has worked on the assembly line for 10 years, a job he says takes some training and quite a bit of experience.

"There's a lot expected of you, and Harley gets its money's worth, at least in the assembly line," he said.

Ebersole, of North York, said he also worked to land a job at Harley and has worked hard since.

As for the months-long debate about whether Harley will move, he says he hopes the company stands firm on its promise to cease relocation efforts.

"I'm just glad it's almost over either way," he said. "I plan to vote yes. I mean, I don't have much of a choice if I want to keep my job."

-- Reach Kathy Stevens at 505-5437 or kstevens@yorkdispatch.com. Staff writer Jessica Anderson contributed to this report.