Steel Markets
UAW Strikes Deere, Thousands Head to Picket Lines
Written by Michael Cowden
October 14, 2021
United Auto Workers (UAW) members at John Deere have set up pickets after a midnight strike deadline lapsed.
The strike at the Moline, Ill.-based heavy equipment manufacturer impacts more than 10,000 workers at 14 facilities – most of them in the Midwest but some as far afield as Colorado and Georgia.
“Our members at John Deere strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules,” said Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the UAW’s Agricultural Implement Department.
“We stay committed to bargaining until our members’ goals are achieved,” he added.
Deere is in the meantime using “employees and others” to keep daily operations running, a company spokeswoman said.
“Our immediate concern is meeting the needs of our customers, who work in time-sensitive and critical industries such as agriculture and construction,” she said.
Deere will continue to work with the UAW in the meantime.
“John Deere is committed to a favorable outcome for everyone involved and is committed to reach an agreement with the UAW that would put every employee in a better economic position,” the spokeswoman said.
The strike deadline had been set for Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 11:59 p.m. after approximately 90% of UAW members rejected the tentative pact.
A previous six-year contract between the UAW and Deere expired on Oct. 1 but had been extended pending ongoing negotiations.
Deere is famous for its iconic green tractors and combines. Equipment manufacturers such as Deere are also big consumers of steel – not only of flat products such as sheet but also of value-added long products such as special bar quality (SBQ) steel.
By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Michael Cowden
Read more from Michael CowdenLatest in Steel Markets
US steel exports rise to 12-month high in August
The amount of steel exiting the country in August reached the highest monthly rate recorded since August 2023.
Worldsteel lowers short-term forecast for global steel demand
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has made significant downward revisions to its Short Range Outlook for global steel demand.
US steel imports tick up in August, fall again in September
August steel imports totaled 2.38 million short tons (st) according to final data released this week by the US Commerce Departmen
Dodge Momentum drops on moderating data center growth
Slowing growth in data center planning caused the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) to pull back in September. The decline followed five months of growth after the index hit a two-year low in March.
US construction spending drops again in August
Construction spending in the US declined for a third month in August but showed an increase year over year (y/y). The US Census Bureau estimated construction spending to be $2.131 trillion in August on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). While this was 0.1% below July’s revised spending rate, it was 4.1% higher than spending […]