Strike comes to an end at John Deere

The strike is over at John Deere, as union members at over a dozen Deere facilities in the U.S. have ratified a new six year agreement.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, the UAW says its John Deere members voted 61% to 39% in favour of the tentative deal that was reached on Friday.

The agreement that was approved includes an $8,500 signing bonus; 20% increase in wages over the six years of the contract with 10% this year; return of cost of living adjustments; three 3% lump sum payments; and other enhanced benefits.

Approximately 10 thousand workers had been on strike since mid-October.

“UAW John Deere members did not just unite themselves, they seemed to unite the nation in a struggle for fairness in the workplace. We could not be more proud of these UAW members and their families,” stated UAW President Ray Curry.

According to Deere, the facilities affected by the strike included the following:

• In Iowa, Davenport Works, Des Moines Works, Dubuque Works, Ottumwa Works, and Waterloo Works, including Tractor and Cab Assembly, Engine Works, and the Foundry.
• In Illinois, Harvester Works in East Moline, North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, and the Seeding Group and Cylinder Division in Moline.
• In Kansas, Coffeyville Works.