Officials from Mercury Marine and the Midwest Territory of the IAMAW, the union that represents the company’s manufacturing employees, agreed Tuesday to allow workers to vote again on a proposed labor contract originally offered by the company on Aug. 19.
State and local officials over the past several days have encouraged the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Mercury Marine to meet and discuss a process for a revote on the company’s “best and final” contract proposal.
Mercury’s deadline for acceptance by the union of the company’s “best and final” proposal was originally set for midnight Saturday, Aug. 29, at which time the company would have removed the contract from consideration. However, due to questions surrounding the voting process, Mercury informed the union that its membership can continue to consider the original proposal through the voting on Sept. 4th.
“Hundreds of employees expressed a desire to voice their true feelings, and that’s something we can’t ignore,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “Obviously this is a difficult situation for all employees in Fond du Lac and Stillwater.”
If results from the Aug. 23 vote would have stood, work from Fond du Lac would have moved to the company’s plant in Stillwater. However, the vote scheduled for this week will take precedence.
Tuesday’s agreement will allow union members to vote Thursday and Friday on exactly the same contract proposal previously considered and rejected by voters on Aug. 23. Union members can vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. either day at the IAMAW hall in Fond du Lac.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill “Genuine Ingenuity”(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land ‘N’ Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables.By: Steve Fleming, Communications Manager / Mercury Marine
