Harley-Davidson's Kansas City Unions Ratify Labor Agreement

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 1 The members of Harley-Davidson Motor Company's unionized workforce in Kansas City agreed yesterday to ratify a new five-and-a-half year labor agreement, almost two years prior to the expiration of the existing agreement.

Approximately 720 Harley-Davidson unionized employees in Kansas City are affected by this contract. The employees are represented by International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Lodge 176 and Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) Local 5-0760. Workers in Kansas City currently assemble the Company's Sportster model motorcycles, as well as the new V-Rod motorcycles powered by the liquid-cooled V-Twin Revolution(TM) engine.

Highlights of the new contract, which was supported by the bargaining team and ratified by the membership of both unions, include wage and benefit packages and retirement enhancements.

``This agreement in Kansas City is another example of Harley-Davidson and its represented union employees collaborating to reach a common goal,'' said Karl Eberle, Vice-President and General Manager for Harley-Davidson's Kansas City Operations. ``We have to give a lot of credit to everyone who worked so hard on an agreement that is flexible, fair and allows us to move ahead on our production efforts.''

Union representatives cited various aspects of the contract agreement. ``It's another milestone for Kansas City operations and it secures long-term wages and benefits for hourly workers,'' said Keith Kirchner, PACE Executive Assistant to the International President. ``It's good for the company to have all locations under long-term agreements. It shows continuing partnering efforts between the company and union can be an overwhelming success.''

``The new contract increases wages, benefits & health insurance for union employees in Kansas City,'' said Jim Pinto, IAMAW Director of Collective Bargaining. ``We also continued our agreement that put in place the High Performance Work Organization, in which many decisions to run the business are made by consensus of both parties.''

``This was a two-way educational process,'' said Ted Harris, President of PACE Local 5-0760. ``We were fully informed and given a chance for feedback and discussion. Both sides understood the business aspects of the process and respected each other.''