Wis. officials try to keep Mercury Marine from moving to Okla. after union rejects concessions
By APMonday, August 24, 2009
Wis. officials work to keep Mercury Marine
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Officials in Wisconsin are working to keep boat engine maker Mercury Marine from moving its manufacturing operations to Oklahoma.
Mercury Marine said it would move jobs from the eastern Wisconsin city of Fond du Lac after union workers voted Sunday to reject a package of wage and benefit concessions.
Leaders of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1947 say workers overwhelmingly rejected what Mercury Marine called its final offer. The union represents 850 workers at the Fond Du Lac plant.
Mercury Marine is the world’s largest manufacturer of boat and recreational marine engines.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is holding out hope that the company and the union could still resolve their differences.
