Harley slashes workforce
Times are tough for Harley. After closing down Buell and putting MV Agusta on the market, the iconic American motorcycle maker is slashing its York, Pennsylvania workforce by nearly half.
The York workers signed up to a seven-year labour agreement, but had to accept that the operation will have a smaller, more flexible workforce, with about 1,000 hourly employees compared to about 1,950 previously.
"A restructured York operation will enable the plant to be competitive and sustainable for the future, and the new labour agreement is critical to making that happen," said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
The new York operation will be consolidated under one roof and focused on the core areas of motorcycle assembly, metal fabrication and paint. Harley had considered relocating to Kentucky, but Pennsylvania swung the deal their way with around $15 million in incentives for capital improvements and training.