Local View of Harley Strik

Re: Local View of Harley Str

I'm not sure which magazine or date of issue had the part break-down on the Buell Ulysses. It was a nice pic of the bike with lines and country flags attached. Tires, wheels, frame, seat, FI, brakes, electronics, body panels....etc all listed from non-US sources. That is really telling from HDs most advanced bike line.

So will Harley send work off shore? Dunno. Will they buy off shore parts to assemble here? Yes for both buell and harley.

Re: They don't have to.. Hel

Good to hear you guys looking at long run and the big picture. My wifes side of the family is all union IAM well it used to be.. Out of 6 only one still has a job. The rest of the work was outsourced. They would love to have their jobs back.. I suspect if Harley put an ad in the newspaper lots of ex IAM would apply and go to PA to work for a great company like Harley.

Re: They don't have to.. Hel

Yep you nailed (sorry I couldn't say it any other way)... My wifes relatives (union IAM with years with the company) were all making more than I was when I started out.

Re: They don't have to.. Hel

Good advice..

Maybe but what about?

There are some exceptions to the rule. Southwest Airlines and the Japanese automakers who have plants and union folks here. So I think you may be over generalizing (something I know a lot about).. There is a management component to some of those failures. Short-term profits and stock price over long term sustained growth is big one that American management has problems with. The political climate that state has towards business is key.. Republicans aren't always sympathetic to business. Sometimes they won't make the necessary investment in infrastructure to keep a business in their state i.e. they will give tax cuts instead of build roads to relieve congestion.. This is what has happened in WA state..

Re: Local View of Harley Str

I don't think the Average Joe gives a crap about any of this. I see the Wal-Mart is full of cars every day, and they sell nothing but imported crap. If replacing the workers saves the buyer 500 bucks on his bikes he's all over it.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

So the union goons have PENSIONS? Gee, I haven't had a "pension" program in - oh, about 18 years.

Union defenders - keep on whinin'. Hopefully there is a mgmt job in your future!

Careful what you wish for.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

Now this is more like America. Good old internal strife. There might be a few guys/gals sitting in the sand who think we've lost perspective though. Maybe they should put up a poster of the dead sons and daughters of Pennsylvania in that negotiation room. Maybe cooler heads will prevail.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

I'd gladly take a job tomorrow starting at over $18 per where the employer even offers health insurance at all.

Fast food workers?

You understand the term "entry level job?"

With unemployment as low as it is, many fast food joints are offering higher than minimum wage starting pay plus a bonus once you get hired.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

Thanks, it is obvious with your experience/stable you're no "Average Joe" but I wouldn't be surprised if your opinion on this was "middle of the road".

Re: Fast food workers?

My squeeze and I own a Tanning and Nail salon. We pay our girls well over minimum and gave them a bonus at christmas. Good help is hard to find, our ace in the hole against corporate chains is our customer service and personal attention. So far we've done pretty well with it.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

Why are you so down on unions? couldn't get in one? I've been a Journyman Union Operating Engineer for 27 years, have had steady employment, good pay and benifits and a pension. I put in at least 8 hours a day and am well payed for it.

Don't like it? maybe you'd feel better if you eat my sh!t, phuckin' scab.

Re: Fast food workers?

Not to mention you've got the prettiest hands and toes in the GPTB.

Re: Maybe but what about?

ksquid not one of the tranplants auto companies employ union workers not one. .

Re: Local View of Harley Str

So you get to wear the blue and white pinstripe overalls with the puffy hat?

I'll join just for that outfit.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

I believe some of the US auto issues center around lack of a competitive product in terms of quality. Sure, price is an issue and direct labor costs are a great portion of that. But there are markets where value is perceived as what is purchased with a dollar. US auto makers for too long focused on total cost, not total quality. Customers recognized that and went elsewhere.

Re: Maybe but what about?

But the joint venture plants - Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota are union and sell very competitively. Labor cost is not everything, and cost of production don't always have much to do with retail price.

Re: Local View of Harley Str

You gotta' earn the puffy hat pal..

it don't just go to anybody.

Re: Fast food workers?

Don't forget my George Hamilton tan and fluffy bathrobe....