A Harley-Davidson labor union seems to believe that the iconic motorcycle manufacturer is closing its factory in Kansas City to ship some of the work to a new plant in Thailand, USA Today reports.
Despite pleas from some members of the Congress, Harley has said they are still closing the Kansas City factory. However, the company also says that it’s moving the work from Kansas City to a plan in York, Pa., creating over 4000 additional job positions for York citizens.
But, what about the 800 lost jobs in Kansas City?
In a meeting that went on Wednesday between members of the Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., some of the Kansas City plant employees said at least some part of the work is surely headed for Thailand.
“Part of my job is being moved to York, but the other part is going to Bangkok,” said Richard Pence, a machinist at the Kansas City plant, USA Today reports.
Harley-Davidson denies any connection between closing the plant in Kansas City and opening a new plant in Thailand.
“The plant under construction in Thailand is a separate and unrelated issue. Part of our long-term strategy is to grow our international business to 50 percent of our annual volume by 2027. The Thailand facility will allow us to be competitive and provide riders greater access to our brand and our products in an expanding global marketplace. Increasing production capacity in Asia is consistent with the company’s long-term strategy to focus on growth internationally. It is not intended to reduce U.S. manufacturing, ” the Milwaukee company said in a statement.
Read more at USA Today!