Wife not happpy with Lund lawsuit
 

Hi everyone,
I have plans to purchase a new boat this spring and the wife has given me the green light. I have been talking a lot about Lunds boats and had my eye on a couple different models. She must listen more then I give her credit for because she showed me an article why I won't be getting a Lund. [URL="http://www.startribune.com/business/134853523.html"] http://www.startribune.com/business/134853523.html [/URL]
I am not sure whether this is a frivolous lawsuit or not? I was hoping someone here might work or have worked in one of the factories and could shed some light and help me convince the wife. Has anyone heard anything else about this lawsuit? Thanks in advance for any help.
Kaptinfish

Have not heard anything of this and although it is unfortunate if true the quality of the boat is not affected by it.

The Federal Government telling you who and who you can't hire.

"Kaptinfish".... first time poster. Welcome to the best walleye site in the business.

Yah...this news broke about 8 days ago.
I doubt anybody has much to add except conjecture, at this point.

Wouldn't that just be more reason to buy a Lund...:D Sorry Juls

I would think the ratio's are no different at any other boat builder.

Better start looking at other brands! Number 1 priority is to keep the spouse happy.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions until the thing is settled. Could be a lot of lawyer speak right now.

As a little background, I worked in the office at the Lund factory until 2007. The article in the Star Tribune (and the complaint itself) may have merit, it also may not have any merit. During the period of time that the article discusses turning away the number of women (starting in Jan 2006), the marine industry was starting to contract, employees were being let go. Just a few years earlier (2004-2005), the New York Mills plant itself was making 10,000 + boats a year, there were two shifts and talk of running a 3rd.

However, in just a few short years, the NYM plant was down to 1 shift (and this was after the Canadian Lund plant had closed and moved production down to NYM). Then in 2009 (a few years later), the Crestliner plant in Little Falls, MN closed down and that production eventually moved to NYM. So, what used to be 3 plants making aluminum boats had now been consolidated into one. The article (or the Labor Department's complaint) seems to be hanging on a stray statistic that 200 women applicants were turned down. However, it doesn't say anything about how many total applicants were turned down over this difficult period of time.

In addition, the entry level plant positions ususally went to go work in the 'assembly' department (at least it was while I was there). You should understand that while there is some automation in making a Lund boat, the process is still very labor intensive. The 'assembly' department is loud (due to riveting) and back-breaking work. Picture a worker underneath a boat holding a riveting buck while someone above you rivets hundreds of rivets into the hull for hours on end. The reverberating noise is almost unsustainable if it were not for double ear protection. This isn't to say that a female worker could not physically perform the work as there were some women working in that department. Back in the day, there was more employee turnover in this department simply because of the nature of the work involved.

I can't speak for current hiring practices, but while I was there, there were dozens of female workers who worked throughout the plant. If you can schedule some time to go to the Lund plant (now called the Brunswick NYM Plant), I would do that (and bring your wife along). Everyone who goes through that tour will appreciate the level of work and skill that goes into making a Lund boat. Along the tour, take notice of the women who do work there and work hard in providing fishermen a quality product.

[QUOTE=SC-1;1371789]As a little background, I worked in the office at the Lund factory until 2007. The article in the Star Tribune (and the complaint itself) may have merit, it also may not have any merit. During the period of time that the article discusses turning away the number of women (starting in Jan 2006), the marine industry was starting to contract, employees were being let go. Just a few years earlier (2004-2005), the New York Mills plant itself was making 10,000 + boats a year, there were two shifts and talk of running a 3rd.

However, in just a few short years, the NYM plant was down to 1 shift (and this was after the Canadian Lund plant had closed and moved production down to NYM). Then in 2009 (a few years later), the Crestliner plant in Little Falls, MN closed down and that production eventually moved to NYM. So, what used to be 3 plants making aluminum boats had now been consolidated into one. The article (or the Labor Department's complaint) seems to be hanging on a stray statistic that 200 women applicants were turned down. However, it doesn't say anything about how many total applicants were turned down over this difficult period of time.

In addition, the entry level plant positions ususally went to go work in the 'assembly' department (at least it was while I was there). You should understand that while there is some automation in making a Lund boat, the process is still very labor intensive. The 'assembly' department is loud (due to riveting) and back-breaking work. Picture a worker underneath a boat holding a riveting buck while someone above you rivets hundreds of rivets into the hull for hours on end. The reverberating noise is almost unsustainable if it were not for double ear protection. This isn't to say that a female worker could not physically perform the work as there were some women working in that department. Back in the day, there was more employee turnover in this department simply because of the nature of the work involved.

I can't speak for current hiring practices, but while I was there, there were dozens of female workers who worked throughout the plant. If you can schedule some time to go to the Lund plant (now called the Brunswick NYM Plant), I would do that (and bring your wife along). Everyone who goes through that tour will appreciate the level of work and skill that goes into making a Lund boat. Along the tour, take notice of the women who do work there and work hard in providing fishermen a quality product.[/QUOTE]

Very well said IMHO!

I went through the plant in 2008 before I purchased my first New Lund. I was very impressed and do recall quite a few women working through out. I then went down to talk to the main person, which was a women, for possible repairs for my boat that was in an accident and she was wonderful to work with. I think her name was Tammy but not sure. Since then I have talked to several customer parts service people that were women and they also have been great.