MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and its union leaders reached a proposed labor agreement on Friday that could keep manufacturing operations and hundreds of jobs in Wisconsin.
The proposal still needs to be ratified by union workers and approved by the motorcycle company’s board. Workers are expected to vote on the contract Sept. 13.
Harley had previously said labor costs at its operations in Milwaukee and Tomahawk were too high. The company threatened to move production to Kansas City or another U.S. city if Wisconsin workers wouldn’t agree to certain labor concessions.
The company declined to reveal the terms of the proposed contract.
“I can tell you it includes competitive compensation, and it also gives the company the flexibility it needs to remain competitive,” company spokesman Bob Klein said.
Mike Masik, who represents Harley’s largest union, declined to comment until he could discuss the contract with his members next week.
“My membership will make their choice, and they’ll let me know what they want me to do,” said Masik, the president of the local chapter of the United Steelworkers International Union.
The Wisconsin facilities have 1,340 active employees, Klein said. He left open the idea that there could still be job reductions, even if the contract is approved.
