Harley Davidson and their employees in Wisconsin ratified a new labor contract covering the next 4 years. Now everyone can get down to the business of building motorcycles instead of wondering about strikes and similar interruptions.
From the press release:
Milwaukee, WI — All three unions representing Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) employees in Wisconsin voted to ratify new collective bargaining agreements with the Company. The new four-year agreements, which cover approximately 2,210 employees, became effective retroactive to April 1.
The Company has individual labor agreements with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2-209, representing about 1,700 employees and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Lodge 78, representing about 150 employees, in the Milwaukee area; and with USW Local 460 in Tomahawk, Wis., which represents about 360 employees.
In addition to improvements in wages, the new contracts provide for the establishment of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) for bargaining unit employees, under which they can use HRA dollars to help pay for out of pocket health care costs. Other health care plan provisions are designed to moderate the rise in plan costs yet maintain Harley-Davidson’s position as a provider of top-tier health care benefits.