Harley-Davidson laying off 94 from Franklin warehouse

Written by Off the Wire
General News

Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has filed a notice with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development informing the agency that it will lay off 94 employees at its distribution center in Franklin beginning June 7.

The Milwaukee-based heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer announced more than a year ago that it was closing the distribution center, with a third-party company picking up parts, accessories and general merchandise distribution. The closure was part of a major reduction in operations and work force being undertaken in response to the economic recession.

In a mass layoff notice filed this week with the state, Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) said it was undergoing a "permanent reduction in force" at the warehouse, 10000 S. Franklin Drive. The notice did not indicate how many employees will remain at the facility after the layoffs.

Employees are represented by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union AFL-CIO Local 2-209. Many of the affected employees will retain recall rights and some "bumping" or displacement may occur through various Harley facilities in the Milwaukee area as a result of the job force reduction.

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