Deere UAW members pass strike authoritization

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - UAW local 74 members along with other union workers at Deere plants have approved strike authorization.

The move doesn’t necessarily mean the workers will strike but authorizes members to do if so talks break down.

The union is currently in contract negotiations with Deere & Company. Their latest contract is set to expire on October 1st.

Acting President of UAW Local 74 Mike Shaw had no comment when asked what the Ottumwa workers would do if the contract expires and there is no new agreement.

He told KYOU there are 560 union members working at Ottumwa Works.

A Deere spokeswoman says the current agreement covers approximately 10,1000 production and maintenance employees at 12 Deere facilities.

In Iowa, the facilities are Davenport Works, Des Moines Works, Dubuque Works, Ottumwa Works, and Waterloo Works, including Tractor and Cab Assembly, Engine Works, and the Foundry.

In Illinois, the facilities are Harvester Works in East Moline, North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, and the Seeding Group and Cylinder Division in Moline. In Kansas, there is one facility, Coffeyville Works.

A separate agreement also is being negotiated to cover nearly 100 production and maintenance employees at Deere parts facilities in Denver and Atlanta.

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