Oshkosh Defense workers rally to bring USPS vehicle contract to Wisconsin

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WLUK) -- Union workers are urging Oshkosh Defense to build the United State Postal Service's next generation delivery vehicle in Wisconsin instead of South Carolina.

Local 578 Union President Bob Lynk joined in supporting union jobs telling Oshkosh Corp higher ups to put its people over its profit.

He says choosing South Carolina over Wisconsin is an attack against union labor.

"If Oshkosh leaves here, Oshkosh can be done. We're the biggest employer here," says Lynk. "But we're dwindling. We went from 3,100 plus members 10 years ago to 1,600."

In a statement supporting the right to peacefully assemble, Oshkosh Defense says it evaluated sites in multiple states which includes Wisconsin for the project, and the South Carolina location ranked highest in meeting requirements.

"It's a fight for our life right now. I do believe contracts are meant to be amended," says Lynk. "I've been told this time and time again so I'm looking to have the contract amended."

More specifically, the company's statement says the manufacturing space needs to be at least 825,000 square feet.

It says that requirement couldn't be met in Wisconsin.

One that Lynk says is a challenge that can be overcome.

"We have 1,600 in seven buildings. So we have the space. It's just not under one roof, it doesn't need to be under one roof," says Lynk. "Why is it under one roof? Because all of those jobs would have to be unionized. Our warehouse is in Greenville. It can be here in Oshkosh."

The company says the USPS contract will not take away jobs from Oshkosh.

In fact, 100 technical jobs are being added.

The full statement from Oshkosh Defense, courtesy of Oshkosh Defense Director of Global Marketing and Communications Alexandra Hittle, is below.

"We are proud that the U.S. Postal Service selected Oshkosh Defense for the NGDV program. We evaluated sites in multiple states, including Wisconsin, for production of the NGDV. The Spartanburg, South Carolina facility ranked highest in meeting the requirements of the NGDV program and gives us the best ability to meet the needs of the USPS. We value the longstanding and skilled workforce we have in Wisconsin and are committed to growing our local presence. With the support of several local economic development corporations, Oshkosh Defense looked throughout Wisconsin to find an existing building that was large enough to build this vehicle. The manufacturing space needed to be larger than any of our existing facilities – a minimum of 825,000 square feet. Wisconsin simply did not have any available buildings that could meet this requirement and given the strict timing requirements of this program, building a new facility was not feasible.

We are pleased to share that we will hire over 1,000 team members for long-term positions at the NGDV facility in Spartanburg. We have also established the NGDV Technical Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The center will be staffed by over 100 team members who will provide engineering and program support for the life of the 10-year NGDV contract. Hiring for this center began in 2021. In addition, we can confirm there will be no jobs lost in Oshkosh due to the NGDV manufacturing work being performed in South Carolina and will in fact result in additional highly technical jobs in Oshkosh. Facility preparations are well underway in South Carolina to ensure Oshkosh will meet contractual deadlines for vehicle deliveries to the Postal Service in 2023."