USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

Representing  employees at Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Strattec Security Corp. in Milwaukee, WI

Widespread seasonal layoffs continue at Briggs & Stratton

By Scott Godshaw

             Seasonal layoffs have become widespread throughout Briggs. Due to an excessive number of Model 19’s, (approximately 61,000 in the warehouse) which were built on the Green Line, the line will be temporarily shut down on May 15, 2000. The assemblers, however, will at that point move over to the Red Line to begin building the Model 9 horizontal engine that is returning from Auburn. Tentatively, the Green Line will go back into production sometime in June or July, 2000 with a run rate of 725 Model 19’s a day, one shift only.

            This will affect M-1 the Machining Department for the Model 19’s. On May 1st, M-1 will go down to one shift. A voluntary layoff was posted and there will be a reduction of 21 machine operators and 18 dayworkers (4 supervisors, 11 set-up, 1 L.G. 21 and 2 L.G. 23’s) in the M-1 area.

            If the tentative start up date of June or July comes to fruition for Model 19 Assembly, some members will be called back to M-1 at that time. Also tentatively, the 2nd shift green line will go back up sometime after shutdown. When that happens, more people will be called back to M-1 and of course the assemblers will also return. This is all contingent upon customer orders.

Model 40-42

            At this writing, chances are there will be a seasonal cutback in the plant 5 area, the twin engine. The current run rate is 700-750 per shift. That number would drop to 450 per shift. This would also impact M-5, the machining department for the twins. Layoff numbers are unknown at this time. However, most of 3rd shift in machining would be shut down. Tentatively, the line will return to 750 per shift sometime in October, 2000.

Die Cast

           There were layoffs in the Die Cast Division effective April 17, 2000. They were as follows:

Dept. 191 – 5 machine attendants and 4 pieceworkers

Dept. 192 – 8 machine attendants and 2 pieceworkers.

Dept. 197 – 3 pieceworkers

Dept. 176 – 2 warehouse attendants

Dept. 189 – 1 pieceworker

            There also will be another layoff, tentatively effective May 22, 2000. This will include:

192 – 3 pieceworkers

197 – 3 pieceworkers

188 – 3 pieceworkers, 1 set-up, 1 L.G. 21

Dept. 552

            In the Flywheel Dept. there was a layoff effective April 24, 2000 of 8 pieceworkers, 3 L.G. 18, 1 set-up A and 1 set-up B. On May 8th, an additional 14 pieceworkers and one Labor Grade 18 Machine Attendant were laid off.