Gov. Doyle Saved Mercury Marine; Scott Walker Asleep at the Wheel

Six years ago, Gov. Jim Doyle, the city and county of Fond du Lac and (IAM) Local 1947 pulled out all stops to save 1,000s of jobs in the Fox River Valley at Mercury Marine and the region, (Mal Contends) (Mal Contends).

As for Gov. Scott Walker and Oscar Mayer? Walker is asleep at the wheel.

And Walker is very testy about Wisconsin citizens asking any questions, (Democurmudgeon).

Walker denied there was anything he or his 'jobs' agency could have done, saying "... it has nothing to do with Wisconsin and has everything to do with a corporate decision ... ," (WISC-TV).

Bad message, shows Walker is out-of-touch and helps only his cronies and donors.

Walker switched tracks on Friday and wrote a letter to Democratic legislators, saying Republicans and Democrats "need to work together to help the workers and families being hurt ... ."

Following Walker's epic failure of his 'jobs' agency, (Ivey, The Capital Times) the only question is if Wisconsin can survive the rest of Walker's tenure.

Typical Scott Walker: Deny, qualify, reverse and no accountability from Governor Jobs Failure.

MSJ: Mercury Managers Sue for Unpaid Bonuses

John Schmid has a piece in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on mid-level managers at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac unhappy about unpaid bonuses. Reports Schmid:

As union workers at Mercury Marine fought over contract concessions meant to save hundreds of jobs in Wisconsin, the company's midlevel managers filed a lawsuit over unpaid bonuses.

The class-action lawsuit, filed last month in federal court, argues that the Fond du Lac-based outboard-engine maker failed to pay $7 million in bonuses to roughly 100 managers. According to the suit, senior Mercury executives instructed lower level managers in April 2008 to implement a cost-savings program and assured managers that they would receive 10% of whatever savings they managed to achieve as an incentive.

The suit names Brunswick Corp., Mercury's parent company, as defendant. Brunswick cancelled bonuses despite repeated assurances that the managers were entitled to a 'self-funded bonus program,' said Gregory Gill Sr., the attorney representing the managers.

One wonders how much of the cost-savings concessions the union gave back on its contract will be paid in bonuses to the workers.

Mercury Marine Updates

Update: Oklahoma Offered Mercury Marine a $300 Million Incentive (WBAY). Oklahoma Socialists! Wait until Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck hear about this.

Jobs are moving fast to Fondy. That's news we like to hear.

From the Fond du Lac Reporter:

Jobs in machining and casting at Mercury Marine's Stillwater, Okla. plant will be moving to Fond du Lac within a month.

That's the word from company spokesman Steve Fleming, who anticipates the number of manufacturing jobs locally will grow to between 1,400 and 1,600 by the end of the seven-year contract just signed with the company's current 850-member union at the Fond du Lac plant.

Most of Stillwater's 385 factory jobs will be moved to Fond du Lac over the next 18 to 24 months

Also, the Fond du Lac city council unanimously approved the Mercury Marine incentives package last night (Laurie Ritger).

Did Merc Union Negotiator Receive Death Threats

Update: See Roger Bybee's piece at In These Times: "(W)orkers and their families soon came under enormous pressure to reconsider [the new contract with 'more than 170 changes' as] ... unbearable pressure ... [and] profound worry about their families' futures" seized the (IAM) Local 1947 made out to be the fall guy by Mercury officials. Such pressure did not grip Dustan E. McCoy, Chief Executive Officer of Brunswick Corporation. McCoy in 2008 ... raked in $9,334,343 in total compensation."

Brunswick's stock (BC) is up 162 percent since early July.

In the wake of tens of millions of dollars in state, county and city incentives for Mercury Marine to retain and increase its manufacturing jobs in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac is breathing a sigh of relief.

But word around the campfire is that the third union vote held last week after lead (IAM) Local 1947 union negotiator Dan Longsine announced his resignation was preceded by several threats made against Longsine's life.

Unconfirmed, but the drama and fear in Fond du Lac these last few weeks certainly makes the rumor seem plausible.

Oklahoma Merc Plant to Close, Jobs to Fondy

Rollercoaster ride in Fond du Lac.

Aggressive Wisconsin pols looking out for their own? Corporate duplicity?

Whatever the machinations in the minds of the decision-makers at Brunswick and Mercury Marine, the Fox Valley and (IAM) Local 1947 are relieved; not so in Oklahoma.

The latest:

From the AP in the Chicago Tribune:

STILLWATER, Okla. - After Wisconsin workers agreed to concessions, Mercury Marine said it will move work there from Oklahoma within two years, putting 380 employees in Stillwater out of work.

The boat engine maker pitted its manufacturing plants in Stillwater and Fond du Lac, Wis., against each other, saying it would consolidate the plants but hadn't decided where.

When a union representing workers at the Wisconsin plant agreed last week to wage and benefit concessions, the company announced that plant would remain open.

On Friday, Mercury Marine said it would take 18 to 24 months to complete the Stillwater layoff.

'Eventually we'll close the Stillwater facility,' Mercury Marine spokesman Steve Fleming said.

Company President Mark Schwabero said the consolidation needed after major declines in the recreational boating industry. 'As we've stated throughout this important process, comprehensive changes to wages, benefits and operational flexibility are necessary for Mercury to effectively compete in a smaller and fundamentally changed marketplace,' he said.

State Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, worked with state officials to put together a tax-incentive package to entice Mercury Marine to stay. 'This went down to a corporation trying to get concessions out of a union, and I think they leveraged another community to do so,' Williams said.

Angry Stillwater Hits Union and Co, 'Merc Tore Up My Life'

Update: Looking back on now in 2013, I bet a lot of people are happy Jim Doyle was here to keep the Fox River Valley from being decimated, had Merc moved substantial operations. Think a fool like Scott Walker could pulled this off?

Stillwater, Oklahoma is saddened by the Merc vote and Mercury Marine's decision to move jobs up to Fond du Lac, instead of down to Stillwater.

But that didn't stop Larry Brown, president of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, from taking a shot at the (IAM) Local 1947 that he accused of being placed on a "pedestal."

It's called collective bargaining and negotiations; been around since the Wagner Act. Look it up, Larry.

The sacrifice that the (IAM) Local 1947 is making for their jobs, their families and the community - with a big assist from the city and county of Fond du Lac and state of Wisconsin - is appreciated and feted here.

From Monique Headley of the Stillwater NewsPress:

‘Disappointed. Hurt,’ said 16-year Stillwater plant employee Todd Pierce. ‘It’s been a major part of my life. I’ve got no voice. This was decided by someone else … (Mercury) tore up my family and my life. That ain’t no way to run a business.’

In disagreement with and numb from the outcome, at times Larry Brown, president of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, spoke with a voice that broke with emotion to about 20 workers gathered at Brannigans at 600 McElroy Rd.

‘I don’t think it will be a good decision in the long term for Mercury Marine.' Brown said. 'It elevated the union to a pedestal they won’t be able to knock them off of. The union will be claiming victory and that they came in on a white horse to save jobs … It’s a good win for them. I am just not happy with how it came about.’

To ease the angst, he bought a round of drinks for the bar.Brown said the team - from Stillwater economic developers to state lawmakers - to keep Mercury in Stillwater put forth an amazing effort.

One team member, Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, said Thursday he will look into repealing state tax credits the state gave Mercury Marine in legislation he helped get passed this spring.

Mercury Union Accepts Contract Takebacks and Concessions

IAM Local 1947 votes: Yes. Breaking ...

Mercury Marine union workers save the day and the city of Fond du Lac.

Make no mistake, the economic health of the Fox Valley is being borne on the strong backs of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Hail organized labor. Fond du Lac and the entire state owe a debt of gratitude to (IAM) Local 1947!

From (IAM) Local 1947:

Wisconsin Machinists at Mercury Marine

Fond du Lac, Wi,
September 4, 2009

The members of IAM Local 1947 in Fond du Lac, Wi have ratified a modification of their current labor agreement that will result in job security and the movement of jobs from other Mercury Marine locations to Fond du Lac, Wi.

Machinists union leaders met with Mercury Marine top management and with this vote, have a commitment that the company will stay in Fond du Lac, Wi, and move more work to Fond du Lac over time.

Our members vote for the company proposal, while being a very difficult decision, clearly says that they are willing to work with Mercury to secure a sound future for themselves, the company and the community.

Let's be clear. This decision to modify our current labor agreement is a huge sacrifice on the part of our members and should not be taken lightly.

We fully expect Mercury Marine to honor their commitment to keep our jobs in Fond du Lac and their promise to move other work from Mercury Marine facilities to Fond du Lac.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Governor Jim Dole for the support we have received from the state of Wisconsin.

We are now prepared to move forward.

Russ Krings

District 10 Representative

Mercury Marine Workers See Daylight, Wisc Pols Come Through

Updated: Gov Doyle saved Mercury Marine and 1,000s of other Fox Valley jobs with the biggest incentive package ever given out in Wisconsin.

Updated - "Through the efforts of state and local officials...," reads the (IAM) Local 1947 webpage. That's the lede everyone is looking for.

A radical game changer out of Fond du Lac.

After the city and county of Fond du Lac and Wisconsin put together incentives to keep Mercury Marine jobs in Wisconsin, new word comes that Mercury Marine and the (IAM) Local 1947 [now updated] may strike a deal not only retaining manufacturing jobs but actually moving jobs from Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Fond du Lac.

Details on the negotiations are sketchy but the newly scheduled contract vote on Thursday and Friday may signal some great news coming out of Fondy.

Brunswick Corp. executives likely did not suddenly convert to Louis Uchitelle's concerns expressed in The Disposable American: Layoffs and Their Consequences.

Fond du Lac and Wisconsin offered publicly funded incentive packages to Merc for the benefit of workers and the surrounding communities that constitute nothing less than the dreaded industrial policy.

Wonder how many Sarah Palin-John McCain voters in Fond du Lac County [28,155 GOP to 23,457 for Obama-Biden in 2008] are going to scream: "Socialist!"

From the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Local Lodge 1947):

Fond du Lac, WI,
September 2, 2009

Through the efforts of state and local officials, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Mercury Marine have met and prepared a supplement contract proposal that was presented to the members of Local 1947 on August 23, 2009.

The supplement and the contract proposal will be presented to the IAM Local 1947 membership in a voting process that will take place on Thursday and Friday, September 3rd and 4th, 2009. The supplement contains clarifications of the August 23, 2009 proposal. ...

Keeping Merc

Mercury Marine (a division of Brunswick Corp.) wants to ditch Fond du Lac and the Fox Valley.

Merc says it needs to scrap its contract with the Machinists union, (IAM) Local 1947.

So how about Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, surrounding communities and Wisconsin pony up on a capital project paying Merc the difference in wages and benefits that Merc says it cannot afford on the existing contract?

Sounds reasonable to me.

Call it "economic protection fees" for the good of the neighborhood.

Union Says 'No', Mercury Marine Is Typical Anti-American Corp

Update II: FDL Reporter: "Mercury union workers have voted down a contract proposal that company officials say would have kept Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac."

Update: See the Fond du Lac Reporter coverage for updates.

I come from down in the valley
where mister, when you’re young,
they bring you to do
as your daddy done.
- Bruce Springsteen, The River

The vote happens today. And an American corporation, Mercury Marine (a division of Brunswick Corp.) has made clear it is prepared to unleash an economic hurricane on Wisconsin communities with no regret.

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is the focus of press coverage universally stating the 1,000s of jobs and millions of dollars depend on the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union vote today.

It's up to the union, they say with no mention of the deranged character of the Brunswick Corp. that would devastate a community with premeditation and in cold blood.

The company has eroded the number of workers and the union at its Fond du Lac site for the past several years. Now, it's time to really kill.

This union vote could sound the death knell for some 800 union workers left at Mercury Marine and for the local union that has fought for its rights and benefits.

Just like NewPage and GM before it, Mercury Marine is putting corporate greed before the good of the Wisconsin community in which it has resided for lifetimes.

Everyone in Fond du Lac knows someone or even generations of families who have worked at Merc. But that doesn't seem to count for much nowadays.

Fondy will see a signal moment in its life today but please note that it is corporate greed and betrayal that ought to be on trial and not the union members of (IAM) Local 1947.

It is Mercury Marine that has given the workers an untenable choice. It is the company that wants to move all its operations to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to be in a non-union state, even though the city of Fond du Lac and the state of Wisconsin have been loyal and faithful partners.

You see, Mercury Marine has announced in effect that workers, Fond du Lac, the Fox Valley, and Wisconsin can all go to hell if Merc doesn't get the union vote they want on a new contract.

If Merc abandons the state of Wisconsin and its workers, no one will be surprised: And Fondy will be just another devastated community where hard-working people are tossed aside by corporate America with no sense of loyalty or decency.

If, as seems likely, the union votes for a contract at the point of a gun [right], Merc should be remembered for its deranged character displayed.

A lot of sweat is being poured into this union vote today--from the workers, the city, the county, the State but the company has made up its mind already.

It doesn't care--it will stay or go dependent solely on where labor will be cheapest and the hell with the people and community loyalty.

Contemplating economic genocide is pathological and make no mistake, if Merc moves out of Fond du Lac, many in the community will be destroyed, left to face bankruptcy and worse.

But don't expect many to bring up the moral obligations that industries owe the American public.

What Economy?

This morning, I was reading about Fond du Lac, Wisconsin praying to hell Mercury Marine keeps going and stays in Fondy.

"Merc," I grew up hearing the term Merc, a life entity as solid and predictable in Fondy as the Packers, beer, deer hunting in November, and Lake Winnebago.

I read about a national panel's mission to determine what caused the financial meltdown, and then I came to the prescient Paul Craig Roberts in CounterPunch.

Roberts, a Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration and prolific writer, has been spot-on for the last decade, seemingly alone in predicting (several years ago) this economic disaster in which now we find ourselves.

His current piece is not reassuring unless you are vested in the Dow reaching 6,500. Here's an excerpt but read the whole thing. From Roberts:

There is no economy left to recover. The US manufacturing economy was lost to offshoring and free trade ideology. It was replaced by a mythical ‘New Economy.’

The ‘New Economy’ was based on services. Its artificial life was fed by the Federal Reserve’s artificially low interest rates, which produced a real estate bubble, and by ‘free market’ financial deregulation, which unleashed financial gangsters to new heights of debt leverage and fraudulent financial products.

The real economy was traded away for a make-believe economy. When the make-believe economy collapsed, Americans’ wealth in their real estate, pensions, and savings collapsed dramatically while their jobs disappeared.

The debt economy caused Americans to leverage their assets. They refinanced their homes and spent the equity. They maxed out numerous credit cards. They worked as many jobs as they could find. Debt expansion and multiple family incomes kept the economy going.

And now suddenly Americans can’t borrow in order to spend. They are over their heads in debt. Jobs are disappearing. America’s consumer economy, approximately 70% of GDP, is dead. Those Americans who still have jobs are saving against the prospect of job loss. Millions are homeless. Some have moved in with family and friends; others are living in tent cities.

Meanwhile the US government’s budget deficit has jumped from $455 billion in 2008 to $2,000 billion this year, with another $2,000 billion on the books for 2010. And President Obama has intensified America’s expensive war of aggression in Afghanistan and initiated a new war in Pakistan.

There is no way for these deficits to be financed except by printing money or by further collapse in stock markets that would drive people out of equity into bonds. ...

A Challenge to Fondy Neo-NAZI: Let's Meet

To the racist coward(s) who left hate cards at a Hispanic-Latino diversity event held last night at the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Public Library: Let's meet.

And I'll write a piece on your views.

Your group's Fond du Lac contingent, the neo-NAZI "Aryan Wear", comes out only at night, in the dark.

I'm from Fondy, pick a dark alley there, I'll find it and I'll come.

Click this headline and post a comment at the bottom of this piece or e-mail me at: maleon@charter.net.

Neo-NAZI Acts at Fond du Lac Gathering on Hispanics and Latinos

Update: Washington Post - Bad Economy May Fuel Hate Groups, Experts Warn

Michael Leon

A social diversity event held last night at the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Public Library entitled "¡Hola! Hispanic and Latino Experiences in Fond du Lac" was marred by a card left on the car windows of several participants by a neo-NAZI "Aryan Wear" group asking if the car-owners had "had enough diversity?"

The card is pictured above-right and was obtained by e-mail from Ken Hall, director of the Fond du Lac Public Library.

The card was left on the car window of a highly-placed Fond du Lac City official, Hall said he heard this morning.

Hall was an event attendee who also had the card left on his own car window last night.

Fond du Lac Police are interested in and actively investigating the incident, according to a police official contacted by phone this morning.

Hall estimates that some 70 people showed up at the event.

"Inside, there was a good discussion going on, a nice group of people exchanging views, And outside there was some coward in the night, sad. He would have been welcome to come in and talk," said Hall by phone this morning.

Another event attendee, a long-time Fond du Lac resident who parked just outside the Library on Portland Street, said, "Fondy has its racism in the past, I'm not surprised, but I feel bad to have that kind of hate staring you in the face."

A similar anti-Obama, racist flyer was left on car windows during the election, reports a Fond du Lac resident speaking on background.

The site, Aryan Wear - Aryan Wear, White Power T shirts, Nationalist Clothing, features various "white power" and NAZI paraphernalia, including a link to an audio recording of the racist fantasy book, the Turner Diaries, and patches and other body wear. [Pictured below are some of the hate links from the Aryan Wear site.]