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Rep. Tom Petri has issued the following statement on Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac:
"I am bitterly disappointed that the contract negotiations between Mercury Marine and Local 1947 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have been unsuccessful. Mercury Marine is important to Fond du Lac. We have provided an excellent community for the company with skilled and hard-working employees, and in turn, Mercury Marine has been a valued employer.
"The citizens of Fond du Lac can be proud of local efforts to keep Mercury Marine here. In particular, I would like to commend County Executive Allen Buechel and City Manager Tom Herre for their leadership, along with the numerous other state and local officials who have worked so tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome.
"As Senator Kohl, Senator Feingold, and I pointed out in our August 24th letter to Mercury Marine President Mark Schwabero and Union President Mark Zillges, 'Mercury Marine has been a vital part of the Fond du Lac community for seventy years and during this time, the company and Fond du Lac have formed a strong and beneficial relationship.' In that letter we encouraged both parties to resolve this matter in a way that would keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac.
"While I am deeply dismayed that there has not been agreement on contract modifications, we must now urgently continue to focus on what can be done to keep Mercury's corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac. To that end, I am pleased that last week Senators Kohl and Feingold joined me in sending a second letter to Mercury Marine President Mark Schwabero asking the company to strongly consider the headquarters incentive package that has been developed by state and local leaders.
"As stated in our letter, 'We understand that Mercury Marine faces significant challenges as it prepares for a changed environment within the marine industry over the next decade or longer. It appears that these challenges are understood and appreciated, and through its local leadership, this region has stepped up to remain a part of Mercury's future. The commitment of our state and local leaders in working with Mercury on keeping its corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac reflects a belief that Wisconsin and its workforce still have much to offer Mercury Marine. We commend the efforts of all involved in laboring to maintain Mercury's presence in Fond du Lac, and we encourage you to consider carefully the valuable contribution that this community can make to your success.'"
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