Over 10,000 John Deere employees went on strike.

United Auto Workers, who work on John Deere products, picket outside the Deere & Co. Des Moines Works location, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Ankeny.1014 Deere 003 Jpg

Ben Burke Producer

Business

Thousands of John Deere employees go on strike as trend continues

Oct 15, 2021

Ben Burke Producer

By Ben Burke (Producer)

More than 10,000 workers at Deere & Company, maker of John Deere, went on strike across the country Thursday. Locations included Denver, Ankeny, Waterloo and Dubuque in Iowa, and Moline, Illinois.

“We’re trying to get better health care after we retire, better environment to live in and increased standard of living,” John Deere employee Darius Fenderson said at the Denver strike Thursday. The video above includes clips from the Denver strike.

“I’ve no idea how long we’re going to be on strike. I’m willing to do it as long as it takes,” Curt Fenderson added. “We’re just trying to get the point across.”

The employees are backed by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). The vast majority of the union rejected a contract offer earlier this week that would have delivered 5 percent raises to some workers at John Deer, and 6 percent raises to others.

“Our members at John Deere strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning said in a statement. “We stay committed to bargaining until our members’ goals are achieved.”

The vice president of labor relations for John Deere, said the company is “committed to a favorable outcome for our employees, our communities and everyone involved.”

“We will keep working day and night to understand our employees’ priorities and resolve this strike, while also keeping our operations running for the benefit of all those we serve,” Brad Morris said in a statement.

The John Deere strike is the latest in several major strikes or strike announcements in the last couple of weeks. On Wednesday, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees announced its 60,000 film and television workers will go on strike Monday unless the union’s demands for fair and safe working conditions are satisfied. Last week, roughly 1,400 workers at multiple Kellogg Company’s cereal plants went on strike over things like health care, holiday and vacation pay, and reduced retirement benefits.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the recent strikes and strike announcements, including the one at John Deere, at her daily press briefing Thursday.

“The President and Vice President often say that this is the most pro-union administration in history and they will continue to govern and lead with that in mind,” Psaki said. “They both feel that strongly supporting unions, the ability of workers to organize if they so choose, collective bargaining and the right to strike which is one part of collective bargaining are fundamental rights.”

Darius Fenderson, John Deere employee: “OK, so we’re trying to get better health care after we retire, better environment to live in and increased standard of living.”

“Guys out here giving honks, thumbs up, rolling the windows down, cheering, man. It’s been awesome, been here since eight nothing but respect and love man.”

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Alan Britin, John Deere employee: “We’re trying to get post-retirement health care, better wages and better working conditions.”

Curt Fenderson, John Deere employee: “I’ve no idea how long we’re going to be on strike. I’m willing to do it as long as it takes. We’re just trying to get the point across.”

“Honks throughout the entire day, like it’s definitely nice to have a lot of support. People driving by and saying yeah, you know, for the cause. That’s always good, raise the morale a little bit so.”

Reporter: “You’ve got about 10,000 John Deere workers on strike and there are other strikes going on. How concerned are you about the impact this might have on the economy or the supply chain and do you have any plans to intervene?”

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary: “Well, we of course, are not going to speak to any individual ongoing potential individual labor actions, as you know, as a standard. But I will note that the President and Vice President often say that this is the most pro-union administration in history and they will continue to govern and lead with that in mind. They both feel that strongly supporting unions, the ability of workers to organize if they so choose, collective bargaining and the right to strike which is one part of collective bargaining are fundamental rights. It’s also the responsibility of management and the union to bargain with each other and resolve their differences. That’s a part of why unions are around in the role they play. We also know that in healthy economies employers must compete for workers and we’re seeing that and as unemployment drops our economy’s shifting to a labor market where workers have more bargaining power. Ultimately that’s a good thing for workers to have more bargaining power and be able to choose more. That means workers can push for higher wages and more dignity and respect in the workplace. So this has long been a fundamental value for the President, something he’ll continue to support broadly across the country.”