Ag News
John Deere workers' strike disrupting some farm operations
Posted on Oct 26, 2021 at 20:00 PM
Farmers have reported difficulty accessing parts for repairs and sales of some new tractors have been halted as United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) remain on strike from John Deere.
The strike, involving more than 10,000 hourly workers at 14 John Deere plants, began on Oct. 14, as workers rejected Deere’s union contract offer. At issue are pay increases, health insurance and profit sharing. Among the plants is one in Grovetown, near Augusta.
According to a report in the Farm Journal workers at Deere’s parts and manufacturing plants anticipate remaining on strike for the rest of the year.
In addition to the strike affecting the company’s assembly lines, one incident was reported where striking workers prevented a tractor-trailer driver from accessing a facility to pick up new farm equipment.
For farmers, finding parts for repairs as they work through harvest season has become a challenge and has compounded continuing supply-chain issues. Deere has stopped taking orders for its larger tractors in the 7000, 8000 and 9000 series, and the 7000 series is already sold out through 2022.
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