"Harley’s evolution is part of longer-term shift in American manufacturing..." This is standard operating procedure for more than American companies. Anymore,

"Harley’s evolution is part of longer-term shift in American manufacturing..." This is standard operating procedure for more than American companies. Anymore, I think it is a central part of the Acme Corporate Handbook anywhere and everywhere to make redundant the lower tiers of staff and farm it out to cheaper labour. This is why there is such a rise in small businesses, consultancies in particular, in recent years. The US is certainly leading the way, but the strategy is being deployed by companies around the globe. If they can't get profits from their customers, they get profits by reducing their operational costs. Before anyone slings mud at the executives, remember that they are legally bound to do what is best for the company and necessary to turn a profit for the shareholders. In certain jurisdictions, they can, in fact, be convicted criminally if they do not take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and prosperity of the investors' moneys. But they are not legally bound to ensure the workers have a job in the process.