Gov. Ed Rendell, along with State Sen. Lloyd Smucker, left, State Reps. Eugene DePasquale, Keith Gillespie and State Sen. Mike Waugh, addresses the media after Harley-Davidson announced it would stay in York County. (John Pavoncello)

Union leader Tom Santone said the company's announcement Thursday that it's not relocating will set many minds at ease, but there's a long road ahead.

"This has been very heartbreaking for the employees of Harley and their families," he said. "But it's not over yet because there will be up to two years of restructuring, and people will still have the heartache of, 'Is the layoff going to get to me?'"

The company's plans call for reducing the union workforce from about 1,950 to about 1,000, which includes 200 or 300 "casual" employees who would be called to work as needed.

About 120 of the 270 salaried positions would also be cut, the company said Thursday.

The union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 175, voted Wednesday to accept a contract that calls for numerous concessions. Many workers said they didn't like the contract, but their vote was being cast to try to keep the company from relocating to Kentucky.

When asked whether the concessions were worth it, Santone responded with another question.

"Is a thousand jobs in York better than no jobs?" he asked. "Even though we were able to work together and save the plant, the loss of 1,000 jobs is still going to be a hit to this community. It's kind of bittersweet."

He said he doesn't know when the first round of restructuring layoffs will begin or how many people will be laid off at once, saying such decisions are now in the company's hands.

The company: Company spokesman Bob Klein said the company is still in the process of finalizing the restructuring plan, and he could not be more specific than to say the layoffs will occur over the next two years.

The restructuring plan also calls for spending about $90 million to consolidate the buildings at the York campus into one facility.

Klein said those plans are also still being finalized, and it's not clear when the project will be bid, when work will start or what will happen to the buildings on the campus that the company will no longer be using.

The state is contributing $15.4 million to the effort, for capital improvements and training, Gov. Ed Rendell announced Thursday during a press conference. He said he spoke with company president and CEO Keith Wandell, who told him the new facility could be expanded to accommodate growth if the economy improves.

As York and Pennsylvania look forward, the company's decision was a letdown for Shelbyville, Ky., which was trying to lure the York plant and was Harley's last remaining option for relocation.

Wandell said in a company statement Thursday he thanks officials in Kentucky for devoting "significant time and attention" to the possible relocation."

No blame for Harley: As the company finalizes its plans, employees are uncertain about their future at the Springettsbury Township plant.

Employees such as Dover resident Tonya Fink, 36, must report to work and wait to hear about the fate of their job.

Fink said she voted for the contract and accompanying restructuring plan, even though she's practically guaranteed to be laid off under the agreement.

She has worked at the plant for nine years, and there are only 163 people with less seniority than she.

"I still think it's wonderful," she said. "I'm just glad the company is staying. I'm not bitter ... I know this is the economy and the environment that we're in."

She said she loves her job; she'll stay at Harley as long as possible and doesn't hold any ill-will toward the company.

"I'm planning on going and doing my job the same as I did any other day," she said.

Employee Randy Graham said he blames the economy for the job losses and the company's desire to find a cheaper place to do business.

"If it wouldn't be like this, they wouldn't be laying people off, either," he said.

The 56-year-old East Manchester Township resident said he has worked for Harley for 14 years and was always treated well, paid well, and had good insurance.

"I had a good ride there," he said.

He said he plans to retire in February because he's likely to be laid off anyway.

Moving on: Paint department worker Bob Tufarolo said he's trying to find a new job because he doesn't want to work under the new contract.

The 49-year-old Springettsbury Township man said he has worked at Harley for 13 years, and will likely be laid off anyway.

The new work rules, which take effect Feb. 2, allow the company to move workers around in different departments more than the current contract, he said.

"A guy who has been a welder for the past 10 years can walk in and be told he's on the assembly line putting a widget on the back of the bike, when you don't have a skill for that or the desire to do so," he said.

"The real kick in the face is there's no cost of living increase (in the contract)," Tufarolo added. "There's a 'maybe' toward the end of the contract, but only if they make a profit.

"I may well volunteer for that layoff to get that severance money," he said.

The new contract provides a $10,000 severance for people who are laid off. Tufarolo said he would also receive four days of pay for each year of service to the company.

--Reach Christina Kauffman at 505-5436 or ckauffman@yorkdis patch.com.