Independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast on this Independence Day to talk about the history of Harley-Davidson. Buffenbarger discussed the post-war problems Harley-Davidson faced and how unions 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 the largest customer. As the military continued advancing its technology, motorcycles led the way, becoming the multipurpose vehicles in theaters of war. Since the comany’s founding, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represented plant workers, and were considered partners in the work they performed at Harley, Buffenbarger said.
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.
In 1981, with the company in peril, 13 AMF executives bought out Harley. They then met with the Machinists Union to figure out a way to engage their employees while improving the standing of Harley-Davidson.
At this time, Buffenbarger was the representative in charge of the Machinists who worked at Harley-Davidson and he worked with management to implement a bottom-up plan to improve employee engagement and get Harley back on top. Together, 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. Buffenbarger then discussed the company going public and what happened to many employees afterward.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.