Jobs from Mercury Marine May Not be Done Deal

NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A deal that would bring hundreds of jobs to Oklahoma has been put on hold.

Mercury Marine  was expected to move its headquarters from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Stillwater, Oklahoma, but a new union vote could end up costing Oklahoma hundreds of jobs.

Tuesday the company announced it would allow union workers to re-vote on a contract that they rejected last weekend.

"We were content that the right decision had been made. That we had reached a point of finality because it was Mercury's release that told us what was going on and only to be thrown back into this whirlwind," said Rep. Cory Williams, (D) Stillwater.

Mercury Marine officials said because of questions surrounding the voting process, Wisconsin workers now have until September 4 to consider the original proposal. If workers vote down the contract, the company will move to Stillwater.

In a statement Mercury Marine President Mark Schwabero said , "Hundreds of employees expressed a desire to voice their true feelings, and that's something we can't ignore."

"Everybody knowing that Mercury leaders were meeting with union officials, it gave that little glimmer of hope that maybe they were talking about keeping the jobs here versus explaining about how they were moving to Oklahoma," said Wisconsin union worker Fred Toth.

While workers in Wisconsin may be celebrating the decision for a new vote, workers in Stillwater are worried. If the union accepts the contract, about 400 jobs in Stillwater could be moved to Wisconsin.

"The economic impact on just payroll this plant is $45 million. Statewide with contracts and supplier associations with Mercury's plant, it's a little over $100 million, so it will be a substantial impact not only to Stillwater's economy but also to the state economy," said Larry Brown, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

Mercury Marine has been in Stillwater for more than 35 years making boat engines. City leaders still aren't sure if the entire plant may close, but they are working with the Governor and the state's legislative delegation to see if anything can be done.

"If Mercury decides not to move to Stillwater, it will not be for a lack of effort on the chamber's part or the civic leaders part at all," Williams said.

Stillwater officials have been in communications with Mercury Marine and are considering traveling to Wisconsin before the final decision is made on Friday.

More on News9.com
Union Vote Could Send 800 Mercury Marine Jobs to Stillwater | Stillwater Leaders Fight to Keep Research and Development Company