Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Walgreens Store Closures: Full List of Locations Shutting Down This Month

    June 4, 2025

    Expert Predicts Summer 2025 Travel Deals: 5 Budget-Friendly Destinations to Book Now

    May 28, 2025

    Walmart Addresses Trump’s Demand to Cover Tariff Costs

    May 25, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, June 6
    X (Twitter) Instagram
    NinepenniesNinepennies
    • Home
    • Featured

      The Highest-Paying Jobs in America—And It’s Not in Finance!

      March 27, 2025

      7 Must-Buy Costco Sale Items Before They’re Gone This February 

      February 10, 2025

      Steel Stocks on the Rise: 3 Winners After Tariff Announcements

      February 4, 2025

      The Best Oil Stocks to Invest $200 in Right Now

      January 28, 2025

      Top 10 Best Jobs of the Year: High Demand, Six-Figure Salaries, and Bright Futures

      January 23, 2025
    • Entrepreneur News

      Walgreens Store Closures: Full List of Locations Shutting Down This Month

      June 4, 2025

      Walmart Addresses Trump’s Demand to Cover Tariff Costs

      May 25, 2025

      Walgreens Expands Use of Prescription-Filling Robots to Reduce Costs and Support Pharmacists During Turnaround

      May 15, 2025

      Hooters Declares Bankruptcy

      April 8, 2025

      Costco to Open 6 New U.S. Stores Next Month and Another in April—See the Locations and Dates

      February 28, 2025
    • Financial Wellness

      Smart and Risky Spots To Store Your Cash, Coins, Crypto, and More

      April 24, 2025

      The Minimum Salary Needed to Be in the Upper-Middle Class in 2025

      March 21, 2025

      Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold Amazon in 2025?

      March 7, 2025

      From Hawaii to West Virginia: The Shocking 77-Year Gap in Retirement Savings Longevity

      February 24, 2025

      Are the 3 Highest-Paying Dividend Stocks in the Dow Jones Worth Buying?

      February 17, 2025
    • Popular Now

      European Markets Climb as Trump Moves to Cut Tariffs on Auto Parts

      May 1, 2025

      Robinhood Expands Trading to Include Bitcoin, Oil, and Gold Futures 

      January 30, 2025

      Powerball Winning Numbers for January 18: Oregon Player Takes Home $328.5 Million Jackpot

      January 21, 2025

      Morgan Stanley Surpasses Estimates With Robust Equities and Fixed Income Trading Revenue

      January 20, 2025

      10-Year Treasury Yield Edges Lower Amid Anticipation of Economic Data, Fed Remarks

      November 21, 2024
    • Wealth

      America’s 10 Wealthiest Self-Made Women, According to Forbes— #1 May Surprise You

      February 5, 2025

      8 Wealthiest Royals in History

      February 4, 2025

      One Powerful ETF That Grew $10,000 to $55,000 in a Decade: Is It Worth Buying in 2025?

      January 28, 2025

      Coinbase CEO Predicts Bitcoin Could Hit Multi-Million Dollar Value

      January 24, 2025

      Dogecoin Surged After Elon Musk’s Appointment: What’s Happening With This Popular Meme Coin?

      November 18, 2024
    NinepenniesNinepennies
    Home » Workers Cry Out As John Deere Effects Massive Job Cuts in the Midwest and Moves Operations to Mexico
    General

    Workers Cry Out As John Deere Effects Massive Job Cuts in the Midwest and Moves Operations to Mexico

    DunniBy DunniJuly 15, 20245 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    John Deere Seeding Group, located in Valley City
    Source: Western Area Power/Flickr
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Over 1,000 workers recently lost their jobs at John Deere thanks to a sudden bout of layoffs and early retirement. The company’s Illinois and Iowa plants were the most affected, as inflation is forcing the relocation of their production activities to Mexico. 

    Demonstrating tractor use in a field session
    Source: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center/Flickr

    Many have lamented how the relocation might harm the local economy and the affected employees. 

    A Company That Has Grown With Industry

    John Deere has been operating in the United States for almost two centuries. The company is prolific for the quality of its farm machinery and implements. John Deere has also branched into the manufacture of construction and heavy-duty equipment.

    A John Deere forklift in the USAF service
    Source: SSGT Tiffany Page, USAF/Get Archives

    During a recent interview with The Guardian, an employee of the Harvester Works plant attributed the John Deere layoffs to greed.

    Worker Cuts in the Face of Burgeoning Profits 

    The comment by the Harvester Works employee refers to how John Deere’s economic realities do not justify the layoffs. There is a claim that the equipment manufacturer earned about $10 billion in the previous fiscal year.

    A John Deere 5215 tractor removing snow
    Source: Virginia State Parks staff/Wikimedia Commons

    So, pundits believe the layoffs are unnecessary since John Deere’s business is still very profitable. 

    Pay Disparity in a Company With a Layoff Crisis 

    Another point of criticism of the recent layoffs at John Deere is the eye-popping remuneration of the company’s CEO. Last year, CEO John May went home with $26.7 million.

    Land leveling operation at 3S Ranch, near El Campo, Texas
    Source: USDA/Rawpixel

    So, many are dissatisfied with a single individual going home with that much when the company is actively downsizing. The speculation of more layoffs doesn’t end there.

    ALSO READ: Gravity Payments’ Revenue Increased Threefold After CEO Dan Price Took a 90 Percent Pay Cut

    Job Loss Fear Stoked Up  

    A wave of fear is currently sweeping through the ranks of John Deere staff, as no one knows who will be the next person to be fired. As a result, workers’ confidence in their job security has tanked significantly.  

    The Flying Leatherneck Ranch
    Source: USDA/Rawpixel

    When asked about the climbing spate of anxiety for John Deere workers, one anonymously said, “We get wind of more layoffs daily, it seems, and it’s causing uncertainty all over.” 

    Historic Growth of the Equipment Company

    John Deere is one of those companies that have stood the test of time. It has come out of economic recessions, in-house and global, with a spring. It may come as a shocker that John Deere started as a manufacturer of steel plows.  

    John Deere 6620 tractor with grain trailer
    Source: Calle Eklund/Wikimedia Commons

    Today, the company is a global behemoth, with facilities in some 109 locations around the globe.   

    How an American Company Can Become Unpatriotic  

    John Deere’s relocation of manufacturing facilities to another country has caused many to question its patriotism. Those in this school of thought feel that being a company of American roots, John Deere ought to seek out the greater good of its constituents.

    John Deere mower
    Source: InsaPictures/Needpix

    Unfortunately, John Deere is the largest employer of labor in many communities in the Midwest.

    Layoffs Are Affecting the Local Economy   

    Families and local businesses are tied to many of the jobs John Deere took away. So, many communities will inevitably feel the impact of the loss. 

    John Deere combine and tractor at work
    Source: Dan Davison/Wikimedia Commons

    Quentin Hart, the mayor of Waterloo, further underscores the impact of the John Deere job losses by saying, “Any time you have a major employer initiate layoffs, it’s a challenge for the local community.”

    Intervention of Local Unions in the Ongoing Layoffs

    Union leaders are not keeping quiet about the ongoing layoff crisis. Tim Cummings, a unionist, has officially called for John Deere to reconsider the motivations behind its outsourcing strategy. 

    John Deere 8410 in Sachsen-Anhalt
    Source: Stephan Trebs/Wikimedia Commons

    Cummings, the president of the Local 838 union circuit, said on KWWL news, “I urge John Deere to stop outsourcing, bring these products back to our factories, and allow our talented workforce to produce these products at home.”  

    Retire Early or Suffer Outright Job Loss  

    With the prevailing wave of job insecurity, about 103 workers at John Deere’s Ottumwa plant have opted for an option of early retirement with compensation. However, workers in some other local facilities were not so lucky.    

    A heavy-duty tractor
    Source: JoachimKohlerBremen/Wikimedia Commons

    For example, John Deere’s Ankeny facility cut 150 jobs, 500 lost their jobs at the Waterloo facility, and 650 in Iowa.  

    ALSO READ: How a Finance Facebook Group Changed the Fortune and Career of a ‘Broke Black Girl.’ 

    Layoffs and the Local Economy  

    Chris Laursen was one of John Deere’s employees who opted for the early retirement package. He spent 22 years with the company and worked at the Ottumwa plant. Last year, John Deere laid Laursen off, but the local union fought for his reinstatement.     

    Two kids standing beside a Deere tractor
    Source: dmytrok/Flickr

    Reflecting on what would become of Ottumwa after John leaves, Laursen said, “Losing John Deere would be an extremely big loss.”

    John Deere Justifies Its Layoff Decision   

    Despite all the criticisms that have rained in the direction of John Deere, the company retains its stance and fingers escalating manufacturing costs as responsible for the relocation of manufacturing activities.

    A 12-wheeler tractor
    Source: Madereugeneandrew/Wikimedia Commons

    John Deere’s higher-ups claim that its outsourcing strategy would keep it globally competitive. However, that has not saved the company from criticism. 

    You Might Also Like:

    Amazon Lures Back Erstwhile Customers With 30% Discount on Groceries

    Tips for Requesting a Lower Minimum Payment on Your Credit Card

    Here Are Useful Tips To Get Cheap Car Insurance This Year

    Strong Economic Performance Keeps Mortgage Rates Steady Above 7%

    Smart Strategies To Get the Lowest Mortgage Rates on the Market

    Agriculture company John Deere United States
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAmazon Lures Back Erstwhile Customers With 30% Discount on Groceries
    Next Article Turkey Goes Off the Grey List of Global Financial Crimes Watchdog 

    Related Posts

    General

    Expert Predicts Summer 2025 Travel Deals: 5 Budget-Friendly Destinations to Book Now

    May 28, 2025
    General

    NYSE Expands: A New Stock Exchange Is Coming to Texas

    February 13, 2025
    General

    Dell CEO Delivers a Firm Wake-Up Call to Employees

    February 3, 2025
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Top Posts

    How to Delete Credit Karma Account: Step-by-Step Guide

    October 14, 2024

    Home Depot Penny Items: How To Find Them

    October 17, 2024

    Introducing the 2025 Caterpillar Pickup Truck for the U.S. Market

    September 5, 2024
    Stay In Touch
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    You Might Like

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest tech news from FooBar about tech, design and biz.

    Most Popular

    How to Delete Credit Karma Account: Step-by-Step Guide

    October 14, 2024

    Home Depot Penny Items: How To Find Them

    October 17, 2024

    Introducing the 2025 Caterpillar Pickup Truck for the U.S. Market

    September 5, 2024
    Our Picks

    Walgreens Store Closures: Full List of Locations Shutting Down This Month

    June 4, 2025

    Expert Predicts Summer 2025 Travel Deals: 5 Budget-Friendly Destinations to Book Now

    May 28, 2025

    Walmart Addresses Trump’s Demand to Cover Tariff Costs

    May 25, 2025
    X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • Editor’s Picks
    • About Us
    • Get In Touch
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Editorial Standards
    © 2025 Ninepennies.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.