Harley's main plant lives on - but with 50% job cuts

Troubled Harley-Davidson has announced that its main assembly plant in York, Pennsylvania will survive – but only after a massive restructuring which will see the workforce halved.

The decision comes following a major review of the crisis-ridden company’s operations and prolonged negotiations with the York workforce, which currently numbers 1950. Under the new plan, which was apparently agreed by 89% of the workforce, and contrary to reports elsewhere, that will be cut to 1000 (a loss of 950 jobs) while H-D will invest a reported $90m (£54m) in totally restructuring the plant. The new consolidated facility will focus on motorcycle assembly, metal fabrication and paint.

It’s also reported that other options being considered by the Harley-Davidson management was closing down the York facility (which was opened in 1973 and is a popular tourist attraction in the area) completely and moving production to Kentucky, as both Kentucky and Pennsylvania had been offering financial incentives in attempts to sway Harley-Davidson’s decision.

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