The Industrial Age collapses: Part III

It's after the deadline. Mercury Marine is leaving Fond du Lac, 1,000 - 2,000 jobs will be lost. But then the company allows the union workers to vote a third time. 

Now the workers and community leaders in Stillwater, Oklahoma, are enraged.  During the vote, my mother tells me, "We'll see whether we have a town left."  The governor of Wisconsin hints the state will contribute money to keep the company in FDL.

This time the workers vote to accept the company's new 30% wage cuts. Now Stillwater loses 400 jobs that will be moved to FDL.  Everyone in Wisconsin is relieved, thankful. The Governor predicts "when the economy recovers" that Mercury will employ even more workers (the Governor is never right about keeping factory jobs). Even this blog writer is pleased Mercury will stay in FDL.

A happy Labor Day, says the city manager.  But is it? NineShift predicts:
-If Gen Y is not buying cars, how can they possibly be buying boats and motors?
-The days of getting and keeping a good job with a high school degree are over.  $12 an hour is not a good job.
-Within ten years, NineShift predicts that outboard motor sales will continue to drop. Eventually the company will continue its lay offs.

My hometown of Fond du Lac has delayed the day of reckoning, postponed the inevitable. And like the rest of America, continues to be blind to the decline of the Industrial Age and the rise of the knowledge worker. Only to be blindsided once more in the coming decade.  

Comments

[Suzanne]

I agree that we'll lose the boat manufacturing jobs, but not necessarily that Gen Y won't want boats. I think the jobs will be lost because the wages are too high for the skill level.

People buy boats and cars for different reasons. Boats are a leisure thing. I live on the Great Lakes & boats are big around here. You either boat or camp. Those are popular leisure activities for the younger set.

Also, if Gen Y moves to the cities, I can imagine that "getting away" would mean visiting the great outdoors (or at least a marina or campground.)

By the way, campers are still made almost exclusively in America - and that market is strong. I think because people have different motives for buying them.

[Gate Valves]

I just wanted to say that you have a pretty informative blog and I will continue to check it out. Have a great day.