UAW Members Reject Deere Contract Extension Offer
(RTTNews) - Members of the United Auto Workers at John Deere (DE) have voted to reject the company's proposal to extend their current collective bargaining agreement through 2029.
The proposal, which Deere offered last month, would have extended the existing contract from its scheduled 2027 expiration to 2029. Under the offer, union members would have received 4% wage increases in each of the two years, along with $3,000 bonuses.
UAW President Shawn Fain said the proposal failed to address workers' concerns, particularly regarding job security, as Deere continues to outsource jobs while about 1,600 workers remain laid off.
"While John Deere continues to outsource jobs, 1,600 workers are still laid off," Fain said. "Our members rejected Deere's offer because they know their worth and what they deserve."
The union also pointed to Deere's financial performance, saying the company generated nearly $5 billion in profit in 2025 and expects to earn between $4.5 billion and $5 billion this year. Deere spent $1.1 billion on stock buybacks and paid $1.7 billion in dividends in 2025, while setting aside another $7.9 billion for future buybacks.
UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson said workers believe they should have a greater share of the company's financial success.
Deere's CEO John May received $27.9 million in total compensation in 2025, according to the union.
With the extension rejected, the current agreement remains set to expire in 2027, setting the stage for potentially contentious negotiations between Deere and the UAW next year.
