Mercury and union agree to four-year contract
By IBI Magazine
Mercury Marine officials and Local Lodge 1947 of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Union have ratified a four-year contract. Union members approved the proposed contract on Saturday during a general membership vote in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Mercury and union officials worked for nearly six months to reach a final agreement on the contract. Union members voted in April to suspend the contract talks and voted for strike authorisation. "Both sides worked very hard to pay attention to what was important to the membership employees while balancing those needs with the overall cost structure of our Fond du Lac operations," said Dennis Rooney, vice president and chief spokesperson for Mercury, in a statement. "It sends a sign that, together, we will remain a strong and positive presence in Fond du Lac and throughout the boating industry." Union president Mark Zillges told the Fond du Lac Reporter that he believes the contract is fair. "It isn't a showstopper, but I can live with the changes. It's the times, and the company knows it's hard," said Zillges. The contract specifies incremental pay raises for the workers, but also provided cost savings for the company. According to the new contract, employees would become members of the union, but they would be hired as supplemental employees making a lower wage. "We could then pick and choose who we wanted to hire on as core employees," Rooney told the paper. About 150 senior workers will also be offered a buyout offer in order to keep Mercury's wage and benefits costs lower. Zillges said that should prevent layoffs at the company, at least through this year. "I think the work force is going to be fine now, and I think that Mercury will level out," said Zillges. "The operative word is relief for both company and union leadership," Rooney said. "I think both sides stepped up to deal with issues, and it shows the community and our parent company, Brunswick, that we have a collaborative working relationship."
(30 June 2008)
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