Thousands of John Deere employees go on strike as trend continues

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.”