(Radio Iowa) – John Deere could be setting the stage for claiming an impasse in negotiations with the United Auto Workers after a company official called the latest tentative agreement Deere’s “best and final offer.” The proposal included an immediate 10-percent raise and kept the pension program available to new workers. It was rejected by union members in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas this week with just 45 percent voting in favor. Paul Iversen, at the University of Iowa Labor Center, says Deere’s statement shows the company shifting toward a more public negotiating strategy.

“After this second offer was turned down, it seems like they have gone on a media blitz to try to turn public sentiment in their favor,” Iversen says, “since it’s very clear the communities support the workers and support the strike.” The rejected agreement would have increased wages by six to nine-dollars per hour over time and offered greater retirement payments. Iversen says it was a stronger deal, but he says workers are pushing for more to restore previous cuts and take advantage of Deere’s record profits.

“They didn’t feel that Deere was respecting the work that they have done over the years,” he says, “and particularly for during COVID, risking their lives to come to work every day to keep the production going.” Iversen says Deere may be pressuring the union to call another vote, which is uncommon. If John Deere claims an impasse in negotiations, he says the company can offer the proposed contract terms to replacement workers. He says the union could dispute that claim with the National Labor Relations Board.

(reporting by Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)