Harley-Davidson contemplating move to Kansas City

Renowned motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has tabbed Kansas City as a possible relocation destination should its talks with union members falter.

The company is currently embroiled in negotiations with union workers at its original plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Reports say that the company is trying to cut costs at that plant but is meeting resistance from the Machinists and United Steelworkers unions. John Mink, a spokesman for Harley-Davidson, told the Kansas City Star that the company is prepared to move out of Wisconsin and into an existing plant in Kansas City if union leaders don't agree to a new contract by mid-September.

"Kansas City is on a short list of cities that could receive the work," he told the paper.

In a letter to employees, union leaders wrote that they will have one shot to reach a consensus by September 13, reported TMJ4 News in Milwaukee, adding that about 1,800 jobs are at stake.

An additional report from Pennsylvania's York Daily Record said that if Harley-Davidson's relocation to Kansas City goes through, much of the manufacturing that currently takes place in Kansas City might be transferred to an additional plant in Pennsylvania.


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