Workers, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, rejected an offer from the company that would have provided immediate increases of 5 to 6 percent.

However, the union said in a statement that the company did not present an agreement satisfying the requests and needs of members.

Ron McInroy, UAW Region 4 director, on behalf of John Deere workers in Waterloo, Iowa, commented that ‘pickets were set up and we are organized and ready to withstand’.

Strikes are not easy, but there are things that are worth fighting for, he stressed, quoted by the local press.

Participants in the strike considered insufficient the employer’s proposal to increase wages, given that the company could make almost six billion dollars in benefits this year.

In addition, they objected to salary increases backing them on cuts in the pensions of new employees.

This action occurs in the context of a trend towards strikes, ranging from Hollywood production crews to health personnel in different cities across the country.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees announced it will start a similar protest next Monday if there is no agreeing point on topics such as rest and pay.

More than 100,000 unionized workers from various industries in the United States threatened with demonstrations.

The Hill newspaper confirmed that at least 2,000 members of New York hospital groups; 700 Massachusetts nurses and 1,400 workers at Kellogg plant in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee are already unemployed.

pgh/lcr