John Deere Workers Accept Contract Offer, Will End Strike

Deere & Co. workers approved a new contract Wednesday (Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Manila) that will deliver 10% raises immediately and end a month-long strike for more than 10,000 employees, Josh Funk and Tom Krisher reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: It's back to work for John Deere workers after a month-long strike.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said 61% of its members approved the deal with the tractor maker on their third vote, even though this offer was strikingly similar to one that 55% of workers rejected two weeks ago.

Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.

This latest proposal made only modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay plan.

The new contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas where the Moline, Illinois-based company’s iconic John Deere green agricultural and construction equipment is made. The company said work would resume on Wednesday night.

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