Darius Fenderson, John Deere employee: “OK, so we’re trying to get better health care after we retire, better environment to live in and increased standard of living.”
“Guys out here giving honks, thumbs up, rolling the windows down, cheering, man. It’s been awesome, been here since eight nothing but respect and love man.”
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Alan Britin, John Deere employee: “We’re trying to get post-retirement health care, better wages and better working conditions.”
Curt Fenderson, John Deere employee: “I’ve no idea how long we’re going to be on strike. I’m willing to do it as long as it takes. We’re just trying to get the point across.”
“Honks throughout the entire day, like it’s definitely nice to have a lot of support. People driving by and saying yeah, you know, for the cause. That’s always good, raise the morale a little bit so.”
Reporter: “You’ve got about 10,000 John Deere workers on strike and there are other strikes going on. How concerned are you about the impact this might have on the economy or the supply chain and do you have any plans to intervene?”
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary: “Well, we of course, are not going to speak to any individual ongoing potential individual labor actions, as you know, as a standard. But I will note that the President and Vice President often say that this is the most pro-union administration in history and they will continue to govern and lead with that in mind. They both feel that strongly supporting unions, the ability of workers to organize if they so choose, collective bargaining and the right to strike which is one part of collective bargaining are fundamental rights. It’s also the responsibility of management and the union to bargain with each other and resolve their differences. That’s a part of why unions are around in the role they play. We also know that in healthy economies employers must compete for workers and we’re seeing that and as unemployment drops our economy’s shifting to a labor market where workers have more bargaining power. Ultimately that’s a good thing for workers to have more bargaining power and be able to choose more. That means workers can push for higher wages and more dignity and respect in the workplace. So this has long been a fundamental value for the President, something he’ll continue to support broadly across the country.”
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