John Deere reaches tentative deal with striking workers

John Deere reached a tentative deal with striking workers that would provide higher wage increases than previously offered, according to a public union document. Union members are set to vote on the deal Tuesday. 

Under the deal, employees represented by United Auto Workers (UAW) would see a wage increase of 10 percent in the first year with wages increases of 5 percent in the third and fifth years. Employees would see lump sum increases of 3 percent in the second, fourth and sixth years. 

The employees would also be given $8,500 in a ratification bonus, and the cost of their health insurance would be locked in to prevent increases. Under the tentative deal, employees would also be able to take two weeks of fully paid parental leave. Autism care coverage is also included in the tentative agreement.

More than 10,000 John Deere employees have been on strike since mid-October fueled by employees’ calls for pay raises. The UAW said on its website on Saturday that the workers would remain on strike until the deal had been ratified.

“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,” UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement.

“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 added.

John Deere confirmed on Saturday that it had reached a tentative deal with more than 10,000 workers at 12 sites in Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. The farming equipment manufacturer said that a separate tentative deal with close to 100 employees at facilities in Atlanta and Denver had also been reached.

A spokesperson for John Deere told The Hill that the company could not provide further comment on the tentative deal “out of respect for the process.”

— Updated on Nov. 1 at 12:14 p.m.