Illinois Congressman Sorensen Demands Answers from Deere & Company Regarding Layoffs
Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) sent a letter to Deere & Company’s leadership demanding answers regarding their recently announced round of layoffs.
“I write to express my deep concern with the continued rounds of layoffs that have impacted more than 2,000 workers this year alone,” Sorensen wrote in the letter. “These losses hit our Quad Cities community hard. With declining sales, I recognize the challenging business climate you must operate within. However, I remain concerned that Deere & Company has not been forthcoming with your employees and the community about your plans.”
Read the full letter to Deere & Company CEO John C. May below.
John C. May
Chief Executive Officer
Deere & Company
One John Deere Place
Moline, IL 61265
Dear Mr. May:
I write to express my deep concern with the continued rounds of layoffs that have impacted more than 2,000 workers this year alone. These losses hit our Quad Cities community hard. With declining sales, I recognize the challenging business climate you must operate within. However, I remain concerned that Deere & Company has not been forthcoming with your employees and the community about your plans.
As a Quad Citizen, I have always been proud to share a hometown with John Deere. Every time I fly back over the corn and soybean fields of western Illinois, I look down at the landscape dotted with green John Deere tractors. On my Congressional trips around the world, I see the same. Our region feeds and fuels the world, from the men and women at Harvester Works who assemble the machines to the family farmers who drive them. This is a special place with a special way of life.
In my position on the House Agriculture Committee, I have done everything within my power to create favorable market conditions for our U.S. agricultural manufacturing sector, our family farmers, and our workers. I understand that times are tough with a global production slowdown, declining grain prices, and rising input costs. I know that Deere & Company must make tough decisions in a competitive market environment. At the same time, your company reported $1.3 billion in profit last quarter. As CEO, you took home $26.7 million last year, 284 times more than the average worker, and a $6 million increase over the previous year. That isn’t fair to the workers whose efforts made Deere’s profits — and your generous executive compensation package — possible.
I request a detailed understanding of your plans to avoid future layoffs.
- What steps is Deere & Company taking to prevent future layoffs?
- Understanding that the business climate demands cost-cutting measures and sacrifice, what salary and bonus adjustments does Deere & Company plan to make at the executive level?
- What steps are you taking to keep jobs – both salaried and production – here in the Quad Cities?
- What steps will you take to help laid off employees find new employment?
- Will you commit to keeping employees and the community fully apprised of your plans moving forward?
I am committed to ensuring our world class workers receive the opportunities and respect they deserve. I look forward to your prompt response.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
Eric Sorensen
