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Boating Industry
Friday April 4, 2008
Friday April 4, 2008
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Mercury Marine laid off 50 salaried employees Wednesday with the majority of the cuts coming in Fond du Lac, Wis., comprising about 3 percent of the company’s local work force there, The Northwestern newspaper reported in a story on its Web site
“These are difficult decisions, but necessary decisions,” Dennis Rooney, vice president of human resources at Mercury, told the newspaper.
Rooney said the cuts, which are permanent, were made in response to sinking demand for boats and engines. The cuts came from a wide range of positions, including office workers, managers and directors, he said.
“Now, as always, Mercury Marine constantly monitors the state of the marine industry and the demand for product, and reacts accordingly,” Steve Fleming, Mercury’s director of communications, told the newspaper. “Therefore, additional reductions in work force are a possibility should the market continue to weaken or if we see a more effective way to address market opportunities. Staffing adjustments are a reality for all businesses, and Mercury is no exception.”
The cuts did not affect Mercury’s 1,600-member union, but union members have suspended contract negotiations with Mercury Marine and plan to meet April 12 to vote on strike authorization, a precursor to a walkout. The union’s three-year contract is set to expire June 21, The Northwestern reported.
A number of employees also volunteered to retire early, and other vacant positions will not be filled. In addition to the cuts in Fond du Lac, workers in Florida and Oklahoma also lost jobs, Fleming said.
“These are difficult decisions, but necessary decisions,” Dennis Rooney, vice president of human resources at Mercury, told the newspaper.
Rooney said the cuts, which are permanent, were made in response to sinking demand for boats and engines. The cuts came from a wide range of positions, including office workers, managers and directors, he said.
“Now, as always, Mercury Marine constantly monitors the state of the marine industry and the demand for product, and reacts accordingly,” Steve Fleming, Mercury’s director of communications, told the newspaper. “Therefore, additional reductions in work force are a possibility should the market continue to weaken or if we see a more effective way to address market opportunities. Staffing adjustments are a reality for all businesses, and Mercury is no exception.”
The cuts did not affect Mercury’s 1,600-member union, but union members have suspended contract negotiations with Mercury Marine and plan to meet April 12 to vote on strike authorization, a precursor to a walkout. The union’s three-year contract is set to expire June 21, The Northwestern reported.
A number of employees also volunteered to retire early, and other vacant positions will not be filled. In addition to the cuts in Fond du Lac, workers in Florida and Oklahoma also lost jobs, Fleming said.
