In a statement dated July 30, the union called the layoffs “reckless” and said they were an insult to the working class in Iowa and Illinois. The union vowed to fight for justice for its members and communities affected by the cuts.

The union, which includes locals at Deere production facilities, claims Deere is killing “good American jobs” in order to outsource them to Mexico for cheaper labor.

Deere did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), a Democrat from Moline, released a statement calling the decision to lay off employees a “punch in the gut” and that his heart goes out to all impacted.

“Deere & Co. has a history nearly as old as this state and it brings so much pride to us here in Illinois. I stand in solidarity with those let go and others who question their future,” his statement said. “I remain committed to doing everything I can to create opportunities, make it easier for businesses to thrive here, and ensure that the Quad-Cities remains a warm and welcoming place to settle down, raise a family, and succeed.”

Fears about John Deere sending jobs south of the border have been mounting since August 2022 when an announcement was made that Iowa jobs were heading to Mexico. At the time, a spokesperson for the company said no Quad-Cities jobs were in jeopardy.

Those fears resurfaced in June for other Iowans when Deere announced its plan to move some production from its Dubuque Works plant to Mexico in 2026, the Telegraph Herald reported.

Earlier this month Deere issued a statement on its commitment to US manufacturing.

“In order to position our U.S. factories to undertake these highly value-additive activities it is sometimes necessary to move less complex operations, such as cab assembly, to other locations,” the statement said. “John Deere’s economic impact in our U.S. hometown communities and all those where we have a presence is valued at $27 billion.”

The UAW’s statement touched on economics as well, saying the company is forecast to make $7 billion in income this year. The number was included in the company’s second quarter earnings report. 

“There is no question that there is enough profit to go around, and Deere can afford to keep good jobs in Iowa and Illinois,” the UAW statement said.

Previously, Deere has come to its own defense when announcing layoffs, saying the company is facing rising costs and reduced demand for product which includes a 20% decline in sales from 2023 to 2024. Monday, the company announced 134 additional layoffs at John Deere Moline Cylinder Works, bringing the total of Quad-Cities jobs lost to 1,313.

Since October 2023 the company has cut more than 2,700 jobs across Iowa and Illinois. The UAW called this an act of “corporate greed,” claiming profits are more important than the working people.

“The UAW is hard at work trying to minimize the impacts of these cuts and layoffs for our members at Deere and pushing the company to do right by our members, their families, and their communities. But when a company is doing as well as Deere, on the hard work of those UAW members who make the product that generates those profits, there is absolutely no reason for job cuts, layoffs, outsourcing, or cutbacks,” the statement said. “We will keep pushing for justice at Deere and keep letting corporate America know that the working class will not accept the scraps while the CEOs and shareholders get richer and richer.”