United States: two-tier wage scales gain traction

Harley Davidson.  Harley Davidson’s management organized the first round of negotiations.  Motorbikes sales, for $35,000 (about €26,000) a piece, slowed down during the recession the market is 40% lower than it was in 2006 – which was a very good year.  Besides, in Milwaukee, to adjust to demand, the workforce was brought from 1,600 down to 1,250.  When the management threatened to relocated the factories to cheaper American cities in Oklahoma or Missouri, Mike Masik Sr., president of United Steelworkers, accepted heavy concessions.  “It doesn’t feel good now but were happy we kept jobs in Milwaukee” he said when signing the new 7-year contract.
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ht from 1,600 down to 1,250. When the management threatened to relocated the factories to cheaper American cities in Oklahoma or Missouri, Mike Masik Sr., president of United Steelworkers, accepted heavy concessions. “It doesn’t feel good now but were happy we kept jobs in Milwaukee” he said when signing the new 7-year contract.

The agreement, approved by 53% of workers, provides to cut the workforce from 1,250 down to 900 people. It also introduces a new pay system: former employees’ wages w

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