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Harley Davidson announced today the planned volume reduction and restructuring actions are expected to result in the elimination of about 1,100 jobs over 2009 and 2010, including about 800 hourly production positions and about 300 non-production, primarily salaried positions. About 70 percent of the workforce reduction is expected to occur in 2009. The precipitous job reduction is set to only effect the backbone of the company. There is no mention of what senior management is willing to forgo to sustain this workforce.

“We obviously need to make adjustments to address the current volume declines,” said Ziemer. “But we are also determined to do that in a way that will make us more competitive for the long term. 

Our management group will engage with union leaders, through our partnering relationship, regarding these changes.” After a brief look into Harley Davidson’s def 14a statement for 2008, there is clearly a way the company can cut back expenses, and reduce waste.

This of course, would require James L. Ziemer, and the rest of the top level executives to make take pay cuts, and reexamine how much they pay out into the board of directors. This would not sustain all 1,100 jobs, but it could lessen the blow to the work force. To view executive compensation, and the Board of Directors compensation check out the proxy statement.

In light of our dire economic strife, Harley Davidson needs to quit focusing on windfall profits, and short term gains. This company has been around for since 1903, and I don’t think the fore fathers, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson  would approve of their name sake to be synonymous with greed.

http://www.reliableplant.com/article.asp?articleid=3423

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