10k John Deere Workers Go on Strike

More than 10,000 John Deere workers are on strike at 14 U.S. plants after United Auto Workers members could not come to an agreement on a proposed contract Wednesday night. It is the company’s first strike in 35 years.

Employees are seeking better compensation after the company forced longer shifts in light of the labor shortage stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Deere & Company recently forecasted record-breaking profits ranging from $5.7 billion to $5.9 billion by the end of the year. The strike is expected to affect 14% of the company’s workforce.

“Our members at John Deere strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules,” said Chuck Browning, VP at the UAW Agricultural Department.

This is the latest strike in the labor movement that is manifesting throughout the country. More than 1,400 Kellogg workers have been on strike for more than a week. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees announced a strike earlier this week that would affect more than 60,000 film and television workers. All of these strikes have similar goals: better working conditions, fair compensation and shorter shifts.

Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson says the strong sales that John Deere has been achieving throughout the pandemic could make it possible for a fair agreement to be met.

“They can afford to settle this thing on much more agreeable terms to the union and still maintain really strong profitability,” Swenson said.

John Deere employees picket outside John Deere Davenport Works Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Davenport. Photo by Meg McLaughlin.

The story is still developing.