IAM Local 176 members in Kansas City, Mo. are asking questions of how their employer, Harley-Davidson, decided to shutter its facility there by early 2019. The closure affects 572 Machinists Union members at Harley and Syncreon.
Members recently sat down with the Kansas City Business Journal to talk about how to deal with Harley-Davidson plans to shut down its Kansas City plant and express their disappointment with how Harley-Davidson handled the closure announcement.
READ: Union: Harley is treating KC workers poorly and damaging its brand
The union is currently in talks with the company to negotiate details about how the shutdown will be handled.
“We know there will be layoffs in phases, but it tears a family up not knowing how that will happen,” said Capra. “We’re demanding those answers now so we can let our people know and they can plan their lives.”
IAM International President Bob Martinez sent a letter to Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens urging him to organize meetings with other elected officials, local labor leaders, business interests, community groups and Harley-Davidson to discuss the many issues surrounding this closure announcement.
“Since 1993, hard-working Machinists Union members have devoted their lives to making high quality motorcycles for this company,” said Martinez. “Their loyalty, skills, and dedication to excellence have helped make Harley-Davidson the successful, trusted brand that it is today. It is a disgrace that Harley-Davidson could not show these workers the same loyalty they have shown the company over the years.”
Martinez and the IAM are employing every resource necessary to assist the Kansas City membership.
READ: Machinists Union Statement on Harley-Davidson Kansas City Plant Closure