THE VIEW FROM OKLAHOMA: Communities consider Mercury decision

SOURCE: Stillwater NewsPress

By all accounts, deliberations regarding the future of Mercury Marine in Wisconsin and its MerCruiser plant in Stillwater have taken a toll on both communities.

“More than anything else, I am concerned about the emotional rollercoaster families are going through,” said Larry Brown, president of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. " ... It has been a phenomenal effort to come together – turf issues aside - to work for the greater good of the community.”

The first round of voting has worried many in both communities.

Melody Laudolff, wife of a Wisconsin union voter and plant employee, said, “It’s scary for everyone. Yes or no the community changes … Up here it’s not about the fact that we will not take pay cuts or pay higher health care costs. We’ll take that. Economic times are tough for everyone in the country … Fond du Lac has no animosity towards Stillwater. We are sisters under one parent. We wish the best for everyone … [but] we want jobs to stay here.”

Laudolff also wants to support the union.

“It’s about taking a stand … I still stand behind my husband no matter how he voted,” she said.

“As far as I know Mercury can come back to the table, I know they said, ‘If you don’t take this, we’re done.’ But it doesn’t have to be this way … We are living in uncharted days.”

At pre-vote rallies at Lakeside Park and Fond du Lac High School, upwards of 400 supporters gathered, said event coordinator Dee Hogan. “We had signs that said ‘Vote with your heart.' There was no confrontation. It was very peaceful.”

Scott Swick of the Wisconsin-based Winfield Homes and First Weber Realtors, said, “Fond du Lac stands to lose 8,000 jobs related to suppliers. When a major employer leaves a city, people sell homes, prices drop and buyers are reluctant to buy.”

Similar situations in Wisconsin cities have seen a drop of about 12 percent, he said.

“In Janesville, Wisconsin, when the General Motors plant closed, home values dropped 12.1 percent in only 12 months. When Thomas Industries left Sheboygan the city became number two in state unemployment. Fond du Lac could become number three,” Swick said.

In Stillwater, businesses are posting signs in suppoert of MerCruiser. Brown encouraged all to continue positive efforts toward the goal of retention and expansion of Mercury.



Mercury benefits proposed to the union:

Buy-out packages:

• At least 20 years but less than 25 years $20,000 • At least 10 years but less than 20 years $10,000 • Less than 10 years $5,000

Medical:

• Medical coverage and contributions will be the same as salary plans.

• Elimination of co-payments at the former Mercury Marine Family Medical Center owned by Agnesian (Fond du Lac Regional Clinic West).

• Delta Dental coverage remains the same.

• Optional CarePlus dental program is preserved, but employee contribution increases between $4 and $8 per month.

Insurance/Retirement:

• Company-paid life insurance at $50,000 • Short-term disability program with 60 percent pre-disability earnings up to $500 per week maximum • Pension plan frozen, not eliminated, at current $48 per year of service multiplier.

• Retirement plan becomes defined contribution plan (401K) with Company matching 50 cents for every dollar contributed up to 6 percent on top of benefits already earned.

• Employees retiring in 2009 may elect current retiree medical plan at current contribution rates.

• Employees retiring after Dec. 31, 2009 will be offered an optional retiree medical plan with contributions equal to salary retiree medical plan.

Vacation

• Current employees will not lose vacation time.

• Vacation eligibility for new hires and salary employees will be the same.