Mercury Marine Moving Work to Oklahoma After Union Rejects Contract

WBAY ^

[smartyaz]

In a statement the company the said, "Following the union's vote, the company will consolidate much of its Fond du Lac manufacturing operations with its existing operations in an expanded Stillwater, Oklahoma, facility."

Mercury Marine is Fond du Lac's largest employer, with 2,000 workers, and community leaders have expressed fears losing the plant would affect even more jobs countywide.

[billhilly]

This makes this proud owner of a Mercury tower of power a happy camper. Make that a happy boater.

[smartyaz]

Several business and residents in Fond du Lac said Sunday they were shocked by the union’s “no” vote. They said they simply didn’t expect this outcome. Now they’re worried what will become of their community.

“It’s pretty stunning,” said Paul Cunningham, owner of Shreiner’s Restaurant. “I really didn’t think they’d say no.”

The news that the machinists union said “no” to Mercury Marine’s final offer is what some in Fond du Lac feared the most.

“I hate to say it but there’s going to be a lot of people on welfare because there’s no jobs,” said Donny Dunn, of Fond du Lac. “That’s just a lot of people it’s going to effect. Not just Mercury Marine people but there’s other companies that are in the area.”

Other residents are afraid property values will go down and businesses fear the road ahead won’t be easy”

[so_real]

The "union" flexes its muscle and ... POOF! ... 2 percent of the entire population of Fond du Lac, WI becomes unemployed. Unbelievable ... I support Mercury Marine in their decision. Having your own union poison the well against you is an untenable position for any corporation. Maybe one day, when enough factories close, the idiocy of contemporary labor unions will be curtailed.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Funny thing is, the Union undoubtedly views this as a victory.

“No company is gonna operate in OUR town unless they obey OUR Union!”

[Terabitten]

Wisconsin, Michigan, what’s the difference?

Big difference. Wisconsin is very conservative outside of Madison and Milwaukee. There's also a large (and growing) Amish population here, that WILL vote if given an incentive (see: Bush's Ohio Amish Strategy). The liberal Dem governor is nearly universally despised, to the point where he's announced he won't seek reelection. and there's two really good conservatives coming up for the Governor's race.

In other words, Wisconsin isn't completely dominated by unions like Michigan is. Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee and Madison, is primarily made up of farmers, who are typically conservative. Don't lump us all in together.

[billhilly]

Amen to that.

[Terabitten]

Maybe one day, when enough factories close, the idiocy of contemporary labor unions will be curtailed.

Manufacturers see the writing on the wall. That's why they're moving to the right-to-work states in DROVES. American manufacturing is on the rebound - but it'll be in the Sun belt, not the Rust belt.

[Senator John Blutarski]

Mercury Marine ought to keep a weather eye out toward the SE. I suspect that certain telephones in the national capital are ringing off the hook right now.

[billhilly]

I knew and liked Bob Kasten. Whatever happened to him?

[harpu]

Pucker-up Stillwater, I can almost gaurantee there will be SERIOUS unionizing & harassment around the expanded Mercury Marine location!! Wouldn't be too surprised if ACORN didn't even show up sooner than later.

[IamConservative]

Interviewed one of the union members on tv last night after the vote and they said they’d make more on unemployment than the new offer

I find this statement hard to believe. (Not questioning your reporting of the facts, just what the guy is saying.)

[TornadoAlley3]

[jmaroneps37]

I'm telling you I can feel IT! The “IT” is the growing strain of resistance coming from Texas Oklahoma and Nebraska. The second Civil War is coming, not in the streets with guns but in the courts with the 10th Amendment. http://www.collinsreport.net/2009/08/17/how-obamacare%e2%80%99s-mandated-pg-91-line-4-7-%e2%80%9ctranslation-services%e2%80%9d-can-spark-a-second-civil-war

[vaudine]

People are learning in towns like these. Unfortunately, teacher unions and govt. employees' unions are growing and are likely to agree with "O" as he goes along his journey to total destruction of America as we know it.

vaudine

[guido911]

Bring it. I have been itching for a fight with those lowlifes for a long time. Remember, Oklahoma was the only state where every county voted against Obama.

[Obadiah]

Just wait until the state of WI collects even less income tax in the years ahead! Nice job, Union.

The truly pathetic take away is that so many people still cling to Unions as some brotherhood type thing. Old fantasies die hard. Hard to imagine people are really this self destructive. Call me in 26 weeks when all those FAT unemployment checks run out and you STILL have no opportunities other than working at McDonald’s.

[JimRed]

Serves ‘em right!

[Redleg Duke]

What they seem to be forgetting is that their unemployment is limited, and as the plant closes, it effects not just the jobs in the plant, but the support services in the town and surrounding towns.

You know, grocery stores, fast food joints, restaurants, car dealerships, shopping...the whole economy!

Yep, them union folks really showed 'em!

[Madistan]

I would love to know how much these union members are making, but I can’t find this relevant info enywhere.

[sniper63]

Fond du Lac is in Wisconsin, I used to live there.