Wisconsin Governor to Join Mercury Marine Negotiations

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle said today that he will be actively involved in negotiations aimed at preserving thousands of jobs at Mercury Marine’s Fond du Lac facility.

“We all need to be focused on an outcome that continues to provide family-supporting jobs for hundreds of workers in Fond du Lac and that allows Mercury Marine to continue its market leadership from its headquarters in Wisconsin,” said Doyle in a statement reported in the Milwaukee Business Journal. “I will continue to be engaged and, as appropriate, directly involved as these negotiations continue to occur.”

The IAM requested Doyle’s presence following last week’s announcement by Mercury Marine that the company was considering shifting operations from Fond du Lac, WI, to Stillwater, OK, a move that would eliminate as many as 2,000 local jobs and devastate the surrounding economy.

Machinists union members of Local 1947 in Fond du Lac recently ratified a four-year agreement with Mercury Marine that included a provision permitting the contract to be modified in the event of extreme circumstances. Proposals received from Mercury Marine this week would essentially eliminate nearly all economic and non-economic language in the collective bargaining agreement, except the provisions pertaining to management rights.

Governor Doyle said the state has offered an aggressive package to help Mercury Marine maintain its market leadership and operate efficiently, however, he indicated Mercury Marine must keep these jobs in Wisconsin to access these incentives.