MILWAUKEE, WI—Members of two local unions affiliated with the United Steelworkers (USW) voted to reject a contract offer from Harley Davidson, while a third union local affiliated with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) voted to accept it, according to WTMJ.com.
The USW Local 2-209 from the Milwaukee area joined workers from the Tomahawk area represented by USW Local 460 in rejecting the offer. However, they are not planning to strike.
“We are disappointed with the decision by our employees represented by USW Local 2-209 and Local 460 and will continue with production as usual at all of our facilities,” said Michelle Kumbier, Chief Operating Officer of Harley Davidson.
The rejected offer contained “a competitive wage increase in each year of the five-year agreement as well as a $2,250 signing bonus,” reported WTMJ.
However, one employee stated that the issue was not about money.
“This isn’t really a thing about money,” a longtime employee said. “The language of the contract is really bad on certain issues. It’s basically the same contract with a couple grains of sugar on it.”
Currently, the two USW locals are working under contracts that expired on Monday.
Milwaukee-area workers represented by the International Association of Machinists’ Local Lodge 78 did ratify a new five-year labor agreement, however.
Related: Harley Davidson Workers Rally For Contract As Company Struggles
