hogwash
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MILWAUKEE, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Harley-Davidson Inc.'s union workers are facing a contract vote that would lose jobs either way, but more so if the firm decides to leave Wisconsin.
A spokesman for Harley-Davidson, Bob Klein, said 200 positions will be eliminated, whether or not members of the United Steelworkers of America approve of a contract by Sept. 13. However, if members vote no on the deal, which includes allowing the company to hire "casual," non-union employees at about half the pay of union workers, Harley-Davidson could continue to look for new locations for their production facilities.
With a contract approved, the company has agreed to stop looking for new locations, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.
Union workers also face higher healthcare costs, an eventual cut in vacation time and a wage freeze for many employees for the first six years of the contract. Wages could increase after that, based on the area's prevailing wages, the newspaper said.
By allowing for casual hires, the contract allows Harley-Davidson "to replace some senior employees with people who have no bargaining rights and are paid a lot less," said Marquette University associate professor of business management Cheryl Maranto.
upi.com
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