Editing 2021 John Deere strike

The '''2021 John Deere''' strike is an ongoing strike action being undertaken by an estimated 10,000 [[United Auto Workers]] union members and workers of the John Deere company.<ref>https://whogetsthebird.substack.com/p/weekly42</ref>

== Demands ==
The John Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee has compiled the following demands:<ref>[https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/10/15/drfc-o15.html Deere workers issue statement calling for strategy to win strike] authored by the John Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee published by [[World Socialist Web Site]] on Oct 14, 2021</ref>

* An immediate end to the tier system, with the restoration of fully paid-for health care and pensions for all workers
* A 30 percent across-the-board pay increase to make up for the years of wage freezes and stagnation
* An annual cost-of-living escalator clause to keep up with spiking inflation
* Fully paid health care benefits for retirees and their widows, with no co-pays or premiums
* The abolition of the CIPP productivity improvement regime, with base pay increased to ensure no loss of income
* Maintain the eight-hour day and keep current overtime rules
* Workers’ oversight of safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19. The right to halt production and close the plant for full cleaning, with guaranteed compensation to workers for all missed time, if there are COVID outbreaks.

== Ways to support ==

* Meals and supplies are needed for front line strikers<ref>https://twitter.com/JonahFurman/status/1449418347842621447?s=20</ref>
* Supplies include:
** Bottled water
** Heaters (if striking in a cold location) 
* Food for striking workers on the picket line.<ref>[https://twitter.com/HondaWang/status/1450290556723245057?s=20 Community members such as church members and retirees supporting striking workers by bringing quesadillas to feed them]</ref>

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== Notable events ==
On October 27th, the John Deere striking workers were expected to lose their health benefits, but the company decided to avoid that PR nightmare and extend benefits to striking workers.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2021/10/23/john-deere-strike-health-insurance-bonuses-uaw-union-ankeny-iowa/6156945001/ John Deere union employees will continue to receive health insurance and bonuses after strike] on USA Today</ref>

Tragically, a UAW striker was struck and killed by a vehicle on the picket line.<ref>[https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/traffic-fatality-involving-uaw-striker/ Traffic fatality involves UAW striker]</ref><ref>[https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/national-uaw-mourning-the-death-of-a-deere-striking-worker-in-milan/ National UAW mourns death of a striking Deere worker in Milan]</ref><ref>[https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/uaw-local-79-picket-duties-canceled-for-remainder-of-wednesday/ UAW Local 79 picket duties canceled for remainder of Wednesday]</ref>

== References ==
[[Category:Labor strikes in 2021]]
[[Category:Labor strikes in the United States]]
<references />
[[Category:2021 strike wave in the United States]]
[[Category:Labor strikes]]