June 21, 2004 - FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Outboard engine manufacturer Mercury Marine's four-year contract proposal to members of the International Association of Machinist & Aerospace Workers Lodge 1947 was rejected by the union in a vote Saturday, according to an article in the Sunday edition of the Fond Du Lac Reporter.
Steve Fleming, Mercury director of communications, told the newspaper that the company was notified of the rejection after the vote on Saturday. Fleming said negotiators had been working for nearly five months to reach a contract agreement, and he did not have any details as to why the proposal was turned down.
"Right now, it's my understanding that the union employees are intending to report to work on Monday, but I don't know what will happen after that," Fleming told the Reporter.
Union workers could go on strike if negotiators are unable to reach an agreement, but both sides may return to the bargaining table this week, the newspaper reported.