Best of 2023: Tom Buffengarger celebrates 120 years of Harley-Davidson

On July 4, Independence Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by Independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger who talked about the history of Harley-Davidson. As part of the AWF  “Best of 2023” coverage, Buffenbarger talked about the post-war problems Harley-Davidson faced and how unions like the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers helped make Harley the company it is today.

In 1903, Harley-Davidson began production on motorcycles in Milwaukee, Wis. For a long time, the U.S. military was the company’s largest customer. As the military continued advancing its technology, motorcycles led the way, becoming the multipurpose vehicles in theaters of war. Since the company’s founding, the Machinists Union represented plant workers and were considered partners at Harley, Buffenbarger explained.

Following World War II, many soldiers returned home and sought out motorcycles, which they became accustomed to riding overseas. This new demand created competition amongst manufacturers, both American and abroad. At the time, Harley-Davidson was owned by American Machine and Foundry Manufacturing Company. Unfortunately, the brand was in decline and its sales lagged behind its competitors. 

Buffenbarger discussed the change that led to the resurgence of the company. In 1981, with the company in peril, 13 AMF executives bought out Harley. These executives then met with the Machinists Union to find a way to engage their employees while improving the standing of Harley-Davidson.

At this time, Buffenbarger was the IAMAW Harley-Davidson representative. He worked with management to implement a bottom-up plan to improve employee engagement and get Harley back on top. They developed a cooperative system where management and employees were equal partners. This increased the desire to improve the quality and standards of the employee's work. Finally, Buffenbarger discussed the company going public and what happened to many employees afterward.

For more on Harley-Davidson and the Machinists, check out the whole episode above.