Spokeswoman, Jennifer Hartmann, says it's an industry-leading deal, offering total wages and benefits of $42.00-$60.00/hour by the end of the contract. That includes an immediate, 10% wage hike and a $8,500 signing bonus.
She says Deere listened to production and maintenance employees after they overwhelmingly rejected the first tentative agreement. And the company is proud of the second deal.
Hartmann1 :15 ...the contract. (confident it meets needs/addresses concerns; 7/10 units "YES")
Hartmann also says Deere is willing to help employees understand what's in the agreement.
Hartmann2 :18 ...back to work. (clarify, answer ?s, address concerns. Hope for another vote.)
Members of UAW locals in Davenport, Des Moines, and Ottumwa voted to approve the deal. But those in East Moline, Milan, Dubuque, and Waterloo rejected it. Voting results from union workers in Moline, Denver, and Coffeyville are not available.
90 percent rejected Deere and Company's first offer on October 10th. Only 55 percent rejected the second tentative agreement on Tuesday.
The strike began on October 14th and affects more than 10,000 workers.
