The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) has accepted Deere & Company’s latest tentative offer by a vote 61% for and 39% against. As part of the agreement, UAW workers will get an immediate US8,500 signing bonus and a 20% wage increase over the life of the contract with 10% of that paid this year.
The UAW has also squeezed Deere & Company for a return to Cost-of-Living adjustments during the agreement, and no less than three 3% lump sum payments will come their way as well. In addition, there are enhanced options for retirement and enhanced CIPP performance benefits. Healthcare remains the same as previously for the life of the agreement.
As normal production operations have now resumed Deere & Company is glad to be rid of this protracted strike that has engulfed more than 10,000 workers at 14 facilities across the United States.
Dealers worldwide were on knifes edge as the several world markets were advised deliveries would be delayed, and voting by UAW was initially 95% against accepting the Deere & Co proposal, and it was only recently that UAW members weakened their stance and the vote moved closer to an agreement at 45% yes to 55% no.
John C. May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Deere & Co said, “I’m very glad that our highly skilled employees are back to work building and supporting the industry-leading products that will make our customers more profitable and sustainable.”
“John Deere’s success depends on the success of our people. Through our new collective bargaining agreements, we’re giving employees the opportunity to earn wages and benefits that are the best in our industries and are ground-breaking in many ways.
“We have faith that, in return, our employees will find new and better ways to improve our competitiveness and transform the way our customers do their work. Together, our future is bright,” John C. May concluded.
UAW President Ray Curry, on behalf of the International Executive Board, thanked the members and families of UAW John Deere for their willingness to sacrifice. “UAW John Deere members did not just unite themselves, they seemed to unite the nation in a struggle for fairness in the workplace. We could not be prouder of these UAW members and their families.”
