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.[1]
Demands
The John Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee has compiled the following demands:[2]
- 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[3]
- Supplies include:
- Bottled water
- Heaters (if striking in a cold location)
If you have any additional information, please add it here.
Upcoming obstacles
On October 27th, the John Deere striking workers will lose their health benefits.
References
- ↑ https://whogetsthebird.substack.com/p/weekly42
- ↑ 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
- ↑ https://twitter.com/JonahFurman/status/1449418347842621447?s=20