UAW, Deere locked in contract talks
Deere & Co.’s dramatic fall from record profits a couple of years ago could mean long and contentious labor negotiations once the current six-year contract expires Thursday, The Des Moines Register reported. Talks are underway between Deere and the United Auto Workers on a new contract covering 10,000 workers, most of whom make farm and construction equipment in Iowa and Illinois. But those talks come amid weakening farm and construction markets that may give the company leverage.