Deere workers’ strike in US won’t affect Oz parts supply

As a large number of John Deere workers in the United States enter their fourth week of labour strikes, the company has reassured customers Down Under that parts availability won’t be an issue as farmers in Australia anticipate another busy harvesting season ahead.

Since October 14, 2021, over 10,000 John Deere workers across the agricultural machinery giant’s 14 facilities in the United States who are members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union have gone on strike after labour contract negotiations between John Deere and the union fell through.

John Deere and the UAW have since renegotiated multiple times but have yet to reach an agreement.

In order to minimise disruptions and to continue supplying customers in these trying times, John Deere has implemented a Customer Service Continuation Plan (CSP) in its facilities in the US.

However, John Deere has reassured its customers in Australia and New Zealand that they need not worry about the strikes affecting parts or stock availability in the region.

“In our Australian and New Zealand Regional Distribution Centre located in Melbourne, we have bolstered stock levels of parts in anticipation of a strong harvest,” the company said in a statement.

“At this stage, John Deere does not foresee any immediate impact to the supply of machinery or parts in the Australian or New Zealand markets and our focus here remains firmly on ensuring our customers have the support they need, when they need it.”

Meanwhile, John Deere is continuing negotiations with the UAW in the US and said it is determined to reach an agreement that will “put every union employee in a better economic position and their renumeration reflective of their priorities.”