Leach Company slaps workers in the face
[Eye on Oshkosh received the following editorial today from a former Leach Company worker and are pleased to publish it here with the author's permission]
As I read the May 2005 Northwestern Commemorative edition - Unwrapping Leach Amphitheater - I had mixed emotions. This new park will probably be a positive addition to the city of Oshkosh. From what I've heard and read, it is a beautiful facility.
I, along with most former Leach Company employees, both union and management, strongly disagree with the naming of this facility. For all of us who worked for the Leach Company., the Leach name will always be remembered for the jobs and livelihoods that were provided for a very hard working, dedicated group of people. This company was Dave Leach Sr.'s. Legacy. We will always be grateful to him for the way he provided and stood by his workforce.
We also respect Phyllis Leach's contributions to this community in providing for cancer patients along with other charitable causes.
Unfortunately, for those of us who put most of our lives into working for the Leach Co., when Dave Sr. passed away, our lives were changed. We all respected him and I was not surprised to see so many workers, union and management, attend his funeral. He earned that respect by standing behind those of us who worked for him.
The next Leach generation brought new ideas and changes into the plant. "Team Concept," a fancy phrase that tricks one into believing all employees have a say in how the plant operates, is one example. We endured these changes although costly mistakes were made by upper management decisions. We bargained a concessional contract, providing Leach Co. the opportunity to keep the doors open and move from operating in the red to operating in the black. We were told if we helped turn the company around, we would all be rewarded and the concessions would be paid back over time. This pay back never occurred. The Leach family decided to sell the company, leaving the employees in the dark.
Some former employees have found new jobs and some are returning to school. What concerns me is what will happen to those who fall through the cracks. It seems as though we have already been forgotten by our community and the Leach family. The family has invested money, not the major portion, to this Amphitheater. Most former Leach employees will never frequent this facility, because the naming of it is a slap in our face. We will always wonder why the Leach family would not invest money into the people that worked so very hard for them for so many years.
It is our hope that in the near future, the Leach family will step forward and ask that this Amphitheater be renamed to something more appropriate such as the Riverfront Amphitheater. For most of us who spent our prime years working for the Leach family, a name change would be deeply appreciated. The current name will only detract from the legacy Dave Leach Sr. took with him.
For those who never worked in a factory, I want you to know that a shop floor employee is given a punch clock number, which is their identification. I was going to include my clock number with my name at the end of this commentary, but I chose not to. Apparently, after Dave's passing, we became only numbers. By not including my clock number, the Leach family can now experience what it's like to be left in the dark. Without the clock number, they cannot identify the worker.
Darel W.Ader, president
UAW Local 1108
Former Leach employee
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 12:51 PM MDT
Yes, concessions were made by the union. They had to just to keep the doors open. But the bottom line is if the business does not generate enough profit it will close. Would you operate a business if it was in the red, or broke even? No, you sell or close it.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 01:36 PM MDT
Leach was still profitable with it's Oshkosh location.
Corporations need to learn the balance fair profits with community service and accountability.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 02:14 PM MDT
Just wondering, since you have inside info, just how "profitable" were they?
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 12:54 AM MDT
Frank mccandless wrote:
Federal Signal claims it was consolidating its business. The leach family sold out in 2002. Leach leaving had everything to do with greed. Note revenue of parent company in 2004.
Federal Signal Corporation Acquires Leach Company
September 30, 2002
Federal Signal Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Leach Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Financial Highlights (In USD as of 12/31/2004)
Total Revenue 1,139,000,000
EBITDA 58,100,000
Net Income (2,300,000)
Total Assets 1,121,700,000
Current Assets 414,200,000
Total Liabilities 713,200,000
Current Liabilities 229,700,000
Long Term Debt 394,100,000
Stockholders' Equity 412,700,000
Copyright 2005 Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Copyright 2005 The Post-Crescent
The Post-Crescent
April 8, 2005, Friday
“Last June, Federal Signal said it was consolidating garbage truck manufacturing operations at Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, leading to the elimination of 122 jobs.”
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:42 PM MDT
Accountability to who? Stock holders yes. This is about money. Corporations are in business to make money. It is called capitalism.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 01:40 AM MDT
“But the bottom line is if the business does not generate enough profit it will close. Would you operate a business if it was in the red, or broke even? No, you sell or close it”.
You are dead wrong. This type of thinking only applies to small business of less than 500 people, and then most business fail not because of workers but management. Define what you mean by broke, define loosing money, define not enough profit. For example, the ratio of managers to production workers has been steadily climbing in the last 100 years, 1810 10/100 1935,25/100 1946 36/100 1999 56/100. In 1999 the average large corporation in America had 56 paper pushers to every 100-production workers. It is the production workers who create wealth not managers. Yet when a company wants to cut cost claiming foreign competition it will cut production Workers rather than management. In the U.S If it is the wages of production workers that puts companies at a competitive disadvantage, then explain to me how the Germans and Japanese destroyed our machine tool industry while paying their workers on average of 35 dollars an hour. Here in the U.S the machine tool industry was paying an average of 17-18 dollars an hour and crying how the Germans and Japanese are pummeling them. This resulted in America once a leader in machine tools, now being stuck in last place and our companies need to import most of the machinery they use. The responsibility for this disgrace lies firmly within the greed and shortsightedness of American management. In the world economy this bottom line bullshit of yours is at the heart of our country loosing its competitive edge. Through the hard work of Labor Unions, and other working people we enjoyed for a short time great wages and other benefits that allowed one person to support a family. Depending on your age it was you or your parents that enjoyed such good workings conditions. These people never once considered how many people bled and faught to give them the lifestyle they enjoy, and as long as they have their selfish buts covered screw everyone else including future generations. It is long overdue to stop thinking of just the bottom line and begin to think of who really makes profits for companies.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 08:34 AM MDT
The machine tool industry grew. The machine tool industry unionized. Machine tool quality suffered. Machine tool production moved offshore. Domestic machine tool industry is a shadow of it's former self.
Auto industry grows. Auto industry unionizes. Auto quality goes down the tubes. Auto industry largely moves offshore. Auto industry is nowhere near the giant it once was.
Textile industry unionizes. Same thing happens.
Electronics industry unionizes. Same thing happens.
Anybody see a common thread as to what happens when an industry unionizes? Jobs are "protected", productivity stagnates, quality goes down, jobs leave. It's pretty simple, it repeats eveywhere unions happens, yet people still think they are a good idea...
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 12:59 PM MDT
you must be one of these internet trolls, making claims without any facts to back them up. This thread is not Fox News.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:44 PM MDT
Let me guess, you happen to be one of the silver spooners. You know the guys and gals that have never had to scrap for anything, because everything you have was and is handed to you by a rich relative.
You obviously have no understanding of why or how unions began, what blood shed and heartache were to be had. You only need to look at our own local history to see how and why unions were and are so important.
The truth is that greed of corporations and legilation drove many jobs overseas or as you put it off shore, these very companies get tax break from our own government thus making "the screwing" of the American public and the American worker far more profitable. Yet these sam corporations and their CEO's live the the USA and take all that is offered here as their own playground. You and they should be ashamed of your thought, words and evil deeds.
One day you will see that you, not the workers of America destoyed the strentgh and fiber of what she once stood for. A better life for all willing to work, not those that prostitue your wares to other countries for ill got and gain (short term of course) just look at the trade deficit ....your a real brain trust!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:48 PM MDT
"labor should have the right to organize into unions, just as capital organizes into corporations"
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 06:01 PM MDT
Yes, by all means organize. But the days of $20.00 per hour, top of the line health insurance and great pension to sit and watch a machine run are over. The unions need to realize this. In a world economy our companies can not compete. When GM is paying out more retirement benefits than the corporation is worth something is wrong.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 01:49 AM MDT
Very good point, and I recommend the book, after capitalism from manageialism to workplace democracy by Seymour Melman.
In Melmans’ book he uses the loss of our machine tool industry to illustrate what is at the heart of the decline of our manufacturing base. Managers and government would like us to believe that it is wages of workers that cause a company to loose its competitive edge, but this line of reasoning is false. Although there are many reasons for a company to loose its competitive edge, wages of workers is dead last. For example Melman writes by 1982 many researchers have found that direct labor cost accounts for only 10% of total manufacturing. By direct labor we mean wages paid to the worker actually making the product. Direct labor cost does not include, maintenance, insurance, advertising, management, accounting or any other “indirect” cost. If direct labor only accounts for 10% of total manufacturing, why has management focused 75% of its efforts on controlling just 10% of cost? Plus, no one has yet to explain to me how Japan and Germany were able to destroy or machine tool industry, and yet pay their workers between 24 and 35 bucks and hour while we were paying 11 to 19 bucks an hour.
PS:
You wrote: “When GM is paying out more retirement benefits than the corporation is worth something is wrong.”
Workers have paid into GM’s pension plan and deserve to get whets coming to them. GM has claimed its pension assets as profit rather than innovating. GM has also moved more heavily into financing and military contracts rather than innovating. GM has been producing gas guzzling SUV’s rather than innovating. It is the managers of GM that are running the company into the ground not the cost of labor. To close how long do you think workers in the third world are going to put up with slave wages? I give it 10 years and the so-called great Chinese economy will crumble because of social unrest.
Frank Mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:31 PM MDT
If I were "broke" and the business was doing so poorly, yes I agree you would have to close it...however, then I wouldn't build an ampitheater in my name that the overall community pays the lion share of, when no one is now working because I was forced to close the very plant that employed so many of the locals...the same locals that are now going to be TAXED for this entertainment arena they had no say in!!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 01:56 AM MDT
Rocken Roll I am glad there are others who are not afraid to call it like they see it.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 06:17 AM MDT
Forced? Only in Oshkosh can you be accused of wrong doing when you donate over 1 million dollars. Aren't the cobblestoners wonderful people. The Leach family took the risk when they started their company. The deserved the wealth they accumulated over many decades. When the business went bad they sold out. They then donated the Amphitheatre as a thank you to the city. Seems like a great gesture, unless your a bitter cobblestoner.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 07:30 AM MDT
Only in your mind and the city of Oshkosh does a gift cost the taxpayers millions of dollars, and we're not done spending money yet, mind you. If the Leach family wanted to show its appreciation, why didn't it start with its own employees? It is the employees who helped make that family as rich as they were. Once again, the so-called visionaries and progressives have things slightly altered and skewed. Why is it that anytime people question the manner in whcih something is done or if they believe a smarter, more fair way of doing something exists, they are called cobblestoners and negative? Why don't you come down from the mount and live in the real world for a change? While you're at it, close your mouth and open your ears to what those with different ideas are actually saying. You might just be surprised at what you hear.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 08:05 AM MDT
This hate for corporations in Oshkosh is why we have so few left here. Cut the us against them crap. Who do you think you are to tell companies or the people who own them what to do with their money? They took the risk and earned the profits. Your socialist attitudes are disgusting.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 09:30 AM MDT
If you read Mr. Aider's letter closely - he does not speak out against the amphitheater project - just it's naming.
His quote - "I had mixed emotions. This new park will probably be a positive addition to the city of Oshkosh. From what I've heard and read, it is a beautiful facility."
This is not a pro or anti coblestoner letter. It is a statement on the naming. It should not be grabbed onto by either group for political gain.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: admin on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 10:25 AM MDT
Do you actually believe that if a company is making as much money as it can in a community it is going to relocate because the people in the community don't like it? That argument is absolutely ridiculous.
Moreover, every story that has been published about businesses leaving Oshkosh has contained quotes about why they were leaving and none spoke of hatred from the community. Instead they usually, if not always, talked about how the companies could make more money by moving elsewhere. The exodus of businesses from Oshkosh is about money, not people or personalities. So please stop blaming people or their anger for reasons why companies leave.
But if you want to talk about anger, the people who have been displaced by companies leaving for bigger bucks certainly have a reason to be angry. In the case of the Leach Company, I think those reasons were well-stated in the original letter on this site.
- Cheryl Hentz
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 02:47 PM MDT
Just thought I would chime in-my husband was one of the workers at Leach who lost his job after 28 years. I feel also that the Leach ampitheater is a slap to the Leach workers. It feels insulting to these guys, who put their entire lives in that plant to spend all that money on a entertainment venue, when that same money reinvested in the company may have kept those jobs. Where was Phyllis when the men who put that money in her pocket needed her?
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 04:23 PM MDT
She was busy with son David building mnuments unto themselves rather than helping maintain the legacy of her former husband or building one of her own.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 08:18 PM MDT
The Leach family took the financial risk so they are entitled to the rewards. This is America. When the company was not profitable they got out. So you are saying they should take the profits they made over the years and divide them up and give them to the workers? I hope you are kidding. I am sure all of you would do that if you owned a business that went bad. Sure you would!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 08:38 PM MDT
They are welcome to have any rewards they want. But they held their rewards hostage in order to get the city to do a bunch of extras in Riverside Park. They do not have that right (except when the FAB 5 give it to them) nor should they be applauded for gifts that came with strings attached. That's part of the problem with having too much money. If they truly care about the city and providing quality of life for her people, they ought to make donations to food pantries, domestic abuse shelters, build some low income housing, help to make sure people who can't afford insurance have some and actually make a difference for people much less fortunate than themselves. Then we can all applaud their efforts and generosity. But instead they have helped indebt an entire community of people, many of whom are either just getting by or out of work altogether.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 07:25 AM MDT
Wrong again. The Amphitheatre is a gift that will keep giving for years and years. Possibly contributing millions of dollars to our economy each year.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:18 AM MDT
No, YOU are wrong. Gifts don't cost the recipients anything. What will be giving for years and years is the hardworking, many unemployed peple of Oshkosh called taxpyers. We have to pay for this so-called gift. Why can't you be honest and call it what it is: a tax writeoff for the Leachs and a tax burden for us.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:41 AM MDT
Hostage? No one made the city go the extra yard to make this a first class facility. Thank god they did. Now we can reep the cash it will bring to this city for decades. All that for a small tax increase. A no brainer. For decades the Leach family gave us jobs. When the ride came to an end they gave us an amphitheatre to build our downtown around. They should be thanked.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:51 AM MDT
The city was told that if these other things weren't done right away the "gift" wuld be taken back. If you doubt the accuracy of that go back and look at the City Council workshop when this issue first was "discussed." That was the message from Jackson Kinney our development director for the city.
As to the small amount you believe it is costing us, it may be a small amount to you, but there are many seniors and unemployed people who cannot afford to continue paying for this that and the other. Your attitude smacks of smugness and financial superiority.
Finally as to whether or not the "gift" will keep on giving. That is pure speculation on your part. It will keep giving to PMI, that's for sure. But the message we hear from the city is economic development is good because it helps keeps taxes low and even provides tax relief. When was the last time your tax bill went DOWN? Or even remained at the same level? To be fair we can look at just the city's portion. Mine and those of most people I know have not. Also, we don't know that this "gift" will benefit the city for years to come. It may be mismanaged like so many other things and end up being a big white elephant in the future.
Beautiful as it, we just don't know. That includes YOU.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 09:15 AM MDT
Just think how much your taxes would have went up without development. This city was close to becoming the armpit of Wisconsin. Thankfully people have come to their senses and started to invest in the city with both public and private dollars before it was too late. We have alot of potential with the river. It is time we cash in on it. Corner bars and bowling alleys will only get you so far.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 09:31 AM MDT
We're not talking about ALL development. We are talking about some development, especially this bandshell. The jury is still out on this. But without it maybe we could have done some development that would actually pay decent jobs or helped with other humane causes. But apparently you would rather bury your head in the sand when it comes to things like indigency, lack of the ability to afford proper health care, affordable housing, employment and so forth. Let's just build things like a bandshell where we can celebrate. Your kind of people and people like me seem to have different definitions of quality of life and things that are truly important in life.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:23 AM MDT
While having the discussion about taxes going up or down, no one has spoken about the fact that this River front property was again taken off the tax rolls once the city purchased it from WPS! No one has talked about the fact that if the city had played it's cards right this property (contaminated) could have been given to the city. And if not to the city, then sold to a developer for proper development in keeping with the contamination caps. Thus actually creating TAX BASE. You know that thing that folks keep talking about (especially folks like Brian Bain and his groupies) but seldom are able to make happen because they lack the strength and will to push for what this city really needs!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 09:17 PM MDT
If your husband worked there for 28 years, that means he received roughly $17,000 cash in a lump sum severance package. In addition to that, he received 2 YEARS of paid educational benefits should he choose to go that route, as well as unemployment benefits that extend beyond what any "regularly laid off person" would get.
Other people at other companies don't get anything when they get laid off. What makes you think you are entitled to any of the above listed extras, when other people get nothing? That's a slap in the face to other workers!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 02:53 PM MDT
Speaking of things being closed, it was our understanding based on what city leaders said, that when there are no events at the amphitheater, the grounds were to be open to the public and available for use. Was down there the other day and things were locked up tighter than a drum. I can understand the building itself being locked up but what about the grounds and those bathrooms we've heard so much about? If I'm paying for them I want access. What about it city of Oshkosh? Is this or is it not a city park open to the public?
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:27 AM MDT
Great question, did you ever get an answer? Where is the media on this issue. Their right there screaming the prasies of this thing, but when the paying public has a real question, where are their investigative reports seeking these answers?!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:54 AM MDT
There have been NO answers to date on this issue. The media seems to either have no answers or is playing ostrich on this issue too. Keep your head buried and pretend the problem doesn't exist. Then maybe it will actually go away. Sure, that's right!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 03:51 PM MDT
I too have been down to Riverside Park and was dismayed to see the grounds all closed off to the public. This is not what is supposed to be happening. Does anyone know what the deal is here?
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 07:55 PM MDT
It may be because it was not oficially designated as a park yet. Tonight the council made that designation.
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, June 15 2005 @ 07:42 AM MDT
Instead of posting snide and suspicious emails on a relatively lightly travelled website, perhaps a call to City Hall might answer your question?
I know, that would defeat many of your opportunities to infer conspiracy theories about the hated Leach Amphitheater, but it might be a constructive method of problem solving. Sorry to ruin your fun.
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, June 15 2005 @ 08:31 AM MDT
First, speaking of snide comments, I would respectfully suggest to you that your comment is certainly one that is snide in nature.
Second, this is a type of discussion board frequented by many folks from city hall and our various elected officials. Therefore if visitors here want to post a question about something going on, that is their option to do so, though I agree a call to city hall would also usually get them the answer they were looking for. (Although I have been told by some folks that their calls are not always returned by folks at city hall.)
Third, your comment about this site being lightly travelled is subjective at best and certainly open to interpretation. Again and for the record, this site is frequented by many people who DO have answers, much like the Bryan Bain Fifth Tuesday Forums. Those events are certainly not heavily attended and I have more traffic here than his events, yet we are told we should attend his forums and learn the answers to our questions. The same must then be said about this site or any other discussion board which is monitored, at least in part, by people who are in the know.
Finally, I would encourage people to post questions here as well as making a call to city hall. When people stop me in public to seek help in getting things done or having questions answered, I always try to get answers for them. I will do the same when questions are posted here. No need for people to stop asking questions just because some individual posts a snotty comment trying to discourage you from doing so.
- Cheryl Hentz
As I read the May 2005 Northwestern Commemorative edition - Unwrapping Leach Amphitheater - I had mixed emotions. This new park will probably be a positive addition to the city of Oshkosh. From what I've heard and read, it is a beautiful facility.
I, along with most former Leach Company employees, both union and management, strongly disagree with the naming of this facility. For all of us who worked for the Leach Company., the Leach name will always be remembered for the jobs and livelihoods that were provided for a very hard working, dedicated group of people. This company was Dave Leach Sr.'s. Legacy. We will always be grateful to him for the way he provided and stood by his workforce.
We also respect Phyllis Leach's contributions to this community in providing for cancer patients along with other charitable causes.
Unfortunately, for those of us who put most of our lives into working for the Leach Co., when Dave Sr. passed away, our lives were changed. We all respected him and I was not surprised to see so many workers, union and management, attend his funeral. He earned that respect by standing behind those of us who worked for him.
The next Leach generation brought new ideas and changes into the plant. "Team Concept," a fancy phrase that tricks one into believing all employees have a say in how the plant operates, is one example. We endured these changes although costly mistakes were made by upper management decisions. We bargained a concessional contract, providing Leach Co. the opportunity to keep the doors open and move from operating in the red to operating in the black. We were told if we helped turn the company around, we would all be rewarded and the concessions would be paid back over time. This pay back never occurred. The Leach family decided to sell the company, leaving the employees in the dark.
Some former employees have found new jobs and some are returning to school. What concerns me is what will happen to those who fall through the cracks. It seems as though we have already been forgotten by our community and the Leach family. The family has invested money, not the major portion, to this Amphitheater. Most former Leach employees will never frequent this facility, because the naming of it is a slap in our face. We will always wonder why the Leach family would not invest money into the people that worked so very hard for them for so many years.
It is our hope that in the near future, the Leach family will step forward and ask that this Amphitheater be renamed to something more appropriate such as the Riverfront Amphitheater. For most of us who spent our prime years working for the Leach family, a name change would be deeply appreciated. The current name will only detract from the legacy Dave Leach Sr. took with him.
For those who never worked in a factory, I want you to know that a shop floor employee is given a punch clock number, which is their identification. I was going to include my clock number with my name at the end of this commentary, but I chose not to. Apparently, after Dave's passing, we became only numbers. By not including my clock number, the Leach family can now experience what it's like to be left in the dark. Without the clock number, they cannot identify the worker.
Darel W.Ader, president
UAW Local 1108
Former Leach employee
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 12:51 PM MDT
Yes, concessions were made by the union. They had to just to keep the doors open. But the bottom line is if the business does not generate enough profit it will close. Would you operate a business if it was in the red, or broke even? No, you sell or close it.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 01:36 PM MDT
Leach was still profitable with it's Oshkosh location.
Corporations need to learn the balance fair profits with community service and accountability.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 03 2005 @ 02:14 PM MDT
Just wondering, since you have inside info, just how "profitable" were they?
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 12:54 AM MDT
Frank mccandless wrote:
Federal Signal claims it was consolidating its business. The leach family sold out in 2002. Leach leaving had everything to do with greed. Note revenue of parent company in 2004.
Federal Signal Corporation Acquires Leach Company
September 30, 2002
Federal Signal Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Leach Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Financial Highlights (In USD as of 12/31/2004)
Total Revenue 1,139,000,000
EBITDA 58,100,000
Net Income (2,300,000)
Total Assets 1,121,700,000
Current Assets 414,200,000
Total Liabilities 713,200,000
Current Liabilities 229,700,000
Long Term Debt 394,100,000
Stockholders' Equity 412,700,000
Copyright 2005 Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Copyright 2005 The Post-Crescent
The Post-Crescent
April 8, 2005, Friday
“Last June, Federal Signal said it was consolidating garbage truck manufacturing operations at Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, leading to the elimination of 122 jobs.”
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:42 PM MDT
Accountability to who? Stock holders yes. This is about money. Corporations are in business to make money. It is called capitalism.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 01:40 AM MDT
“But the bottom line is if the business does not generate enough profit it will close. Would you operate a business if it was in the red, or broke even? No, you sell or close it”.
You are dead wrong. This type of thinking only applies to small business of less than 500 people, and then most business fail not because of workers but management. Define what you mean by broke, define loosing money, define not enough profit. For example, the ratio of managers to production workers has been steadily climbing in the last 100 years, 1810 10/100 1935,25/100 1946 36/100 1999 56/100. In 1999 the average large corporation in America had 56 paper pushers to every 100-production workers. It is the production workers who create wealth not managers. Yet when a company wants to cut cost claiming foreign competition it will cut production Workers rather than management. In the U.S If it is the wages of production workers that puts companies at a competitive disadvantage, then explain to me how the Germans and Japanese destroyed our machine tool industry while paying their workers on average of 35 dollars an hour. Here in the U.S the machine tool industry was paying an average of 17-18 dollars an hour and crying how the Germans and Japanese are pummeling them. This resulted in America once a leader in machine tools, now being stuck in last place and our companies need to import most of the machinery they use. The responsibility for this disgrace lies firmly within the greed and shortsightedness of American management. In the world economy this bottom line bullshit of yours is at the heart of our country loosing its competitive edge. Through the hard work of Labor Unions, and other working people we enjoyed for a short time great wages and other benefits that allowed one person to support a family. Depending on your age it was you or your parents that enjoyed such good workings conditions. These people never once considered how many people bled and faught to give them the lifestyle they enjoy, and as long as they have their selfish buts covered screw everyone else including future generations. It is long overdue to stop thinking of just the bottom line and begin to think of who really makes profits for companies.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 04 2005 @ 08:34 AM MDT
The machine tool industry grew. The machine tool industry unionized. Machine tool quality suffered. Machine tool production moved offshore. Domestic machine tool industry is a shadow of it's former self.
Auto industry grows. Auto industry unionizes. Auto quality goes down the tubes. Auto industry largely moves offshore. Auto industry is nowhere near the giant it once was.
Textile industry unionizes. Same thing happens.
Electronics industry unionizes. Same thing happens.
Anybody see a common thread as to what happens when an industry unionizes? Jobs are "protected", productivity stagnates, quality goes down, jobs leave. It's pretty simple, it repeats eveywhere unions happens, yet people still think they are a good idea...
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 12:59 PM MDT
you must be one of these internet trolls, making claims without any facts to back them up. This thread is not Fox News.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:44 PM MDT
Let me guess, you happen to be one of the silver spooners. You know the guys and gals that have never had to scrap for anything, because everything you have was and is handed to you by a rich relative.
You obviously have no understanding of why or how unions began, what blood shed and heartache were to be had. You only need to look at our own local history to see how and why unions were and are so important.
The truth is that greed of corporations and legilation drove many jobs overseas or as you put it off shore, these very companies get tax break from our own government thus making "the screwing" of the American public and the American worker far more profitable. Yet these sam corporations and their CEO's live the the USA and take all that is offered here as their own playground. You and they should be ashamed of your thought, words and evil deeds.
One day you will see that you, not the workers of America destoyed the strentgh and fiber of what she once stood for. A better life for all willing to work, not those that prostitue your wares to other countries for ill got and gain (short term of course) just look at the trade deficit ....your a real brain trust!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:48 PM MDT
"labor should have the right to organize into unions, just as capital organizes into corporations"
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 06:01 PM MDT
Yes, by all means organize. But the days of $20.00 per hour, top of the line health insurance and great pension to sit and watch a machine run are over. The unions need to realize this. In a world economy our companies can not compete. When GM is paying out more retirement benefits than the corporation is worth something is wrong.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 01:49 AM MDT
Very good point, and I recommend the book, after capitalism from manageialism to workplace democracy by Seymour Melman.
In Melmans’ book he uses the loss of our machine tool industry to illustrate what is at the heart of the decline of our manufacturing base. Managers and government would like us to believe that it is wages of workers that cause a company to loose its competitive edge, but this line of reasoning is false. Although there are many reasons for a company to loose its competitive edge, wages of workers is dead last. For example Melman writes by 1982 many researchers have found that direct labor cost accounts for only 10% of total manufacturing. By direct labor we mean wages paid to the worker actually making the product. Direct labor cost does not include, maintenance, insurance, advertising, management, accounting or any other “indirect” cost. If direct labor only accounts for 10% of total manufacturing, why has management focused 75% of its efforts on controlling just 10% of cost? Plus, no one has yet to explain to me how Japan and Germany were able to destroy or machine tool industry, and yet pay their workers between 24 and 35 bucks and hour while we were paying 11 to 19 bucks an hour.
PS:
You wrote: “When GM is paying out more retirement benefits than the corporation is worth something is wrong.”
Workers have paid into GM’s pension plan and deserve to get whets coming to them. GM has claimed its pension assets as profit rather than innovating. GM has also moved more heavily into financing and military contracts rather than innovating. GM has been producing gas guzzling SUV’s rather than innovating. It is the managers of GM that are running the company into the ground not the cost of labor. To close how long do you think workers in the third world are going to put up with slave wages? I give it 10 years and the so-called great Chinese economy will crumble because of social unrest.
Frank Mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 05:31 PM MDT
If I were "broke" and the business was doing so poorly, yes I agree you would have to close it...however, then I wouldn't build an ampitheater in my name that the overall community pays the lion share of, when no one is now working because I was forced to close the very plant that employed so many of the locals...the same locals that are now going to be TAXED for this entertainment arena they had no say in!!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 01:56 AM MDT
Rocken Roll I am glad there are others who are not afraid to call it like they see it.
frank mccandless
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 06:17 AM MDT
Forced? Only in Oshkosh can you be accused of wrong doing when you donate over 1 million dollars. Aren't the cobblestoners wonderful people. The Leach family took the risk when they started their company. The deserved the wealth they accumulated over many decades. When the business went bad they sold out. They then donated the Amphitheatre as a thank you to the city. Seems like a great gesture, unless your a bitter cobblestoner.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 07:30 AM MDT
Only in your mind and the city of Oshkosh does a gift cost the taxpayers millions of dollars, and we're not done spending money yet, mind you. If the Leach family wanted to show its appreciation, why didn't it start with its own employees? It is the employees who helped make that family as rich as they were. Once again, the so-called visionaries and progressives have things slightly altered and skewed. Why is it that anytime people question the manner in whcih something is done or if they believe a smarter, more fair way of doing something exists, they are called cobblestoners and negative? Why don't you come down from the mount and live in the real world for a change? While you're at it, close your mouth and open your ears to what those with different ideas are actually saying. You might just be surprised at what you hear.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 08:05 AM MDT
This hate for corporations in Oshkosh is why we have so few left here. Cut the us against them crap. Who do you think you are to tell companies or the people who own them what to do with their money? They took the risk and earned the profits. Your socialist attitudes are disgusting.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 09:30 AM MDT
If you read Mr. Aider's letter closely - he does not speak out against the amphitheater project - just it's naming.
His quote - "I had mixed emotions. This new park will probably be a positive addition to the city of Oshkosh. From what I've heard and read, it is a beautiful facility."
This is not a pro or anti coblestoner letter. It is a statement on the naming. It should not be grabbed onto by either group for political gain.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: admin on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 10:25 AM MDT
Do you actually believe that if a company is making as much money as it can in a community it is going to relocate because the people in the community don't like it? That argument is absolutely ridiculous.
Moreover, every story that has been published about businesses leaving Oshkosh has contained quotes about why they were leaving and none spoke of hatred from the community. Instead they usually, if not always, talked about how the companies could make more money by moving elsewhere. The exodus of businesses from Oshkosh is about money, not people or personalities. So please stop blaming people or their anger for reasons why companies leave.
But if you want to talk about anger, the people who have been displaced by companies leaving for bigger bucks certainly have a reason to be angry. In the case of the Leach Company, I think those reasons were well-stated in the original letter on this site.
- Cheryl Hentz
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 02:47 PM MDT
Just thought I would chime in-my husband was one of the workers at Leach who lost his job after 28 years. I feel also that the Leach ampitheater is a slap to the Leach workers. It feels insulting to these guys, who put their entire lives in that plant to spend all that money on a entertainment venue, when that same money reinvested in the company may have kept those jobs. Where was Phyllis when the men who put that money in her pocket needed her?
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 04:23 PM MDT
She was busy with son David building mnuments unto themselves rather than helping maintain the legacy of her former husband or building one of her own.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 08:18 PM MDT
The Leach family took the financial risk so they are entitled to the rewards. This is America. When the company was not profitable they got out. So you are saying they should take the profits they made over the years and divide them up and give them to the workers? I hope you are kidding. I am sure all of you would do that if you owned a business that went bad. Sure you would!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 08:38 PM MDT
They are welcome to have any rewards they want. But they held their rewards hostage in order to get the city to do a bunch of extras in Riverside Park. They do not have that right (except when the FAB 5 give it to them) nor should they be applauded for gifts that came with strings attached. That's part of the problem with having too much money. If they truly care about the city and providing quality of life for her people, they ought to make donations to food pantries, domestic abuse shelters, build some low income housing, help to make sure people who can't afford insurance have some and actually make a difference for people much less fortunate than themselves. Then we can all applaud their efforts and generosity. But instead they have helped indebt an entire community of people, many of whom are either just getting by or out of work altogether.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 07:25 AM MDT
Wrong again. The Amphitheatre is a gift that will keep giving for years and years. Possibly contributing millions of dollars to our economy each year.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:18 AM MDT
No, YOU are wrong. Gifts don't cost the recipients anything. What will be giving for years and years is the hardworking, many unemployed peple of Oshkosh called taxpyers. We have to pay for this so-called gift. Why can't you be honest and call it what it is: a tax writeoff for the Leachs and a tax burden for us.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:41 AM MDT
Hostage? No one made the city go the extra yard to make this a first class facility. Thank god they did. Now we can reep the cash it will bring to this city for decades. All that for a small tax increase. A no brainer. For decades the Leach family gave us jobs. When the ride came to an end they gave us an amphitheatre to build our downtown around. They should be thanked.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 08:51 AM MDT
The city was told that if these other things weren't done right away the "gift" wuld be taken back. If you doubt the accuracy of that go back and look at the City Council workshop when this issue first was "discussed." That was the message from Jackson Kinney our development director for the city.
As to the small amount you believe it is costing us, it may be a small amount to you, but there are many seniors and unemployed people who cannot afford to continue paying for this that and the other. Your attitude smacks of smugness and financial superiority.
Finally as to whether or not the "gift" will keep on giving. That is pure speculation on your part. It will keep giving to PMI, that's for sure. But the message we hear from the city is economic development is good because it helps keeps taxes low and even provides tax relief. When was the last time your tax bill went DOWN? Or even remained at the same level? To be fair we can look at just the city's portion. Mine and those of most people I know have not. Also, we don't know that this "gift" will benefit the city for years to come. It may be mismanaged like so many other things and end up being a big white elephant in the future.
Beautiful as it, we just don't know. That includes YOU.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 09:15 AM MDT
Just think how much your taxes would have went up without development. This city was close to becoming the armpit of Wisconsin. Thankfully people have come to their senses and started to invest in the city with both public and private dollars before it was too late. We have alot of potential with the river. It is time we cash in on it. Corner bars and bowling alleys will only get you so far.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 09:31 AM MDT
We're not talking about ALL development. We are talking about some development, especially this bandshell. The jury is still out on this. But without it maybe we could have done some development that would actually pay decent jobs or helped with other humane causes. But apparently you would rather bury your head in the sand when it comes to things like indigency, lack of the ability to afford proper health care, affordable housing, employment and so forth. Let's just build things like a bandshell where we can celebrate. Your kind of people and people like me seem to have different definitions of quality of life and things that are truly important in life.
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:23 AM MDT
While having the discussion about taxes going up or down, no one has spoken about the fact that this River front property was again taken off the tax rolls once the city purchased it from WPS! No one has talked about the fact that if the city had played it's cards right this property (contaminated) could have been given to the city. And if not to the city, then sold to a developer for proper development in keeping with the contamination caps. Thus actually creating TAX BASE. You know that thing that folks keep talking about (especially folks like Brian Bain and his groupies) but seldom are able to make happen because they lack the strength and will to push for what this city really needs!
Leach Company slaps workers in the face
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 12 2005 @ 09:17 PM MDT
If your husband worked there for 28 years, that means he received roughly $17,000 cash in a lump sum severance package. In addition to that, he received 2 YEARS of paid educational benefits should he choose to go that route, as well as unemployment benefits that extend beyond what any "regularly laid off person" would get.
Other people at other companies don't get anything when they get laid off. What makes you think you are entitled to any of the above listed extras, when other people get nothing? That's a slap in the face to other workers!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 13 2005 @ 02:53 PM MDT
Speaking of things being closed, it was our understanding based on what city leaders said, that when there are no events at the amphitheater, the grounds were to be open to the public and available for use. Was down there the other day and things were locked up tighter than a drum. I can understand the building itself being locked up but what about the grounds and those bathrooms we've heard so much about? If I'm paying for them I want access. What about it city of Oshkosh? Is this or is it not a city park open to the public?
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:27 AM MDT
Great question, did you ever get an answer? Where is the media on this issue. Their right there screaming the prasies of this thing, but when the paying public has a real question, where are their investigative reports seeking these answers?!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 08:54 AM MDT
There have been NO answers to date on this issue. The media seems to either have no answers or is playing ostrich on this issue too. Keep your head buried and pretend the problem doesn't exist. Then maybe it will actually go away. Sure, that's right!
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 03:51 PM MDT
I too have been down to Riverside Park and was dismayed to see the grounds all closed off to the public. This is not what is supposed to be happening. Does anyone know what the deal is here?
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, June 14 2005 @ 07:55 PM MDT
It may be because it was not oficially designated as a park yet. Tonight the council made that designation.
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, June 15 2005 @ 07:42 AM MDT
Instead of posting snide and suspicious emails on a relatively lightly travelled website, perhaps a call to City Hall might answer your question?
I know, that would defeat many of your opportunities to infer conspiracy theories about the hated Leach Amphitheater, but it might be a constructive method of problem solving. Sorry to ruin your fun.
Why Is The Amphitheater Closed To The Public??
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, June 15 2005 @ 08:31 AM MDT
First, speaking of snide comments, I would respectfully suggest to you that your comment is certainly one that is snide in nature.
Second, this is a type of discussion board frequented by many folks from city hall and our various elected officials. Therefore if visitors here want to post a question about something going on, that is their option to do so, though I agree a call to city hall would also usually get them the answer they were looking for. (Although I have been told by some folks that their calls are not always returned by folks at city hall.)
Third, your comment about this site being lightly travelled is subjective at best and certainly open to interpretation. Again and for the record, this site is frequented by many people who DO have answers, much like the Bryan Bain Fifth Tuesday Forums. Those events are certainly not heavily attended and I have more traffic here than his events, yet we are told we should attend his forums and learn the answers to our questions. The same must then be said about this site or any other discussion board which is monitored, at least in part, by people who are in the know.
Finally, I would encourage people to post questions here as well as making a call to city hall. When people stop me in public to seek help in getting things done or having questions answered, I always try to get answers for them. I will do the same when questions are posted here. No need for people to stop asking questions just because some individual posts a snotty comment trying to discourage you from doing so.
- Cheryl Hentz
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 3:32 PM
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