Mercury union OKs strike action

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080413/FON0101/804130466/1985

Talks with company to continue; contract expires in June

By Heather Stanek
The Reporter [e-mail]

Union workers at Mercury Marine voted Saturday to authorize the power to strike.

Members of the International Association of Machinists, Local 1947, met at the Fond du Lac High School Fieldhouse to discuss whether or not the 1,600-member union should have the right to strike. The vote was "overwhelmingly unanimous" — 99.8 percent in favor, said union President Mark Zillges.

Zillges noted that the outcome does not guarantee a strike. It notifies the company and union headquarters that a strike may occur so everyone can prepare.

The local union will continue negotiating its contract with Mercury Marine. If a solution can't be reached, the union may vote to strike, he said.

"The vote (on Saturday) will not put us on the streets," he said.

Members gathered after the union recently suspended its contract talks with Mercury Marine. The current three-year contract between the union and Mercury expires on June 21, Zillges said.

FULL story at link.