John Deere workers remain on strike after tentative deal reached

Moline, Illinois – John Deere and its striking workers appear to have reached a deal over the weekend!

John Deere workers have been on strike since midnight on October 14.
John Deere workers have been on strike since midnight on October 14.  © IMAGO / MediaPunch

Over 10,000 John Deere employees in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and Georgia have been on strike since October 14.

They have been demanding better wages, safety conditions, healthcare, and other benefits.

They also want an end to the two-tier compensation system, which provides significantly lower pension and healthcare benefits to workers hired after 1997.

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Under the new deal, United Auto Workers (UAW) members would see their wages rise by 10% in the first year and by another 5% in the third and fifth years.

Further benefits include an $8,500 bonus after the deal is signed, two weeks of paid parental leave, and autism care coverage. Healthcare costs would be locked in, and it appears new hires will have the option of choosing between a 401k or pension plan after the company wanted to remove pensions entirely.

UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement, "We want to thank the UAW bargaining team and striking UAW members and their families for the sacrifices they have made to achieve these gains."

"Our members have enjoyed the support of our communities and the entire labor movement nationwide as they have stood together in support and solidarity these past few weeks," he continued.

But it seems not all workers are happy with the terms of the agreement, with some saying they can still push for more and others arguing that they should wait for the next contract cycle to pick the fight back up.

In particular, workers are concerned that the two-tier system remains in effect, with not all workers enjoying pre-1997 pension levels and retiree healthcare benefits.

Workers are set to vote on the new agreement on Tuesday. The strike will continue until an agreement is officially ratified.

Cover photo: IMAGO / MediaPunch

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