Mercury Marine will pay a one-time bonus to about 1,200 of its hourly workers in Fond du Lac, Wis.
Company spokesman Steve Fleming said that despite challenging market conditions Mercury demonstrated solid global growth in 2011, in part because of the outstanding efforts of Mercury employees, the Fond du Lac Reporter newspaper reported.
"We want our employees to know that their dedication and extraordinary efforts in 2011 - and the results of those extraordinary efforts - were greatly appreciated by the company, and we're glad to be able to show that appreciation with a monetary bonus to our hourly employees," Mercury Marine Mark Schwabero said.
The bonuses at Mercury will be paid based on the length of service during the last year. Bonuses to newer employees will be prorated.
Mark Zillges, president of Local 1947 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said employees were notified of the bonuses on Monday.
"I think it's a nice gesture," Zillges told the newspaper. "It's a step in the right direction. I understand that we [employees] lost a lot [in concessions dating to the summer of 2009], but it's a start. It's something in [employees'] pockets before the holidays."
Fleming said Mercury accomplished many strategic objectives this year.
They include consolidation of its operations in Stillwater, Okla., with its operations in Fond du Lac; record-setting performance by Land `N' Sea, a Mercury distribution company; the launch of a sustainability program; publishing a company sustainability report; and earning Green Master certification.
There also was the recent launch of Mercury's new 150-hp FourStroke outboard engine and the introduction of a fuel system by Attwood Marine, both of which earned innovation awards at the 2011 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference.
Click here for the full article.
