Following discussions yesterday between International Presidents Robert Martinez Jr. and Leo W. Gerard, and union directors with Harley-Davidson CEO Matt Levatich, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the United Steelworkers (USW) announced on behalf of their members that they are withdrawing from a two-decade old partnership agreement with the company.

The union leaders cited a deep and strong concern with the way Harley management is dealing with seasonal production and no longer sees a sufficient partnership in the decision-making process that existed in prior years. Both unions strongly believe that seniority has to count for something when it comes to job security, instead of leaving it to management discretion alone.

Before leaving the meeting, Levatich agreed to work with the unions to resolve staffing issues raised on behalf of full-time workers, saying the company was open to ways best to run seasonal production.

The IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, representing nearly 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, transportation, manufacturing, shipbuilding, woodworking and other industries. Visit goIAM.org for more information.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.