One of the most recognizable names in U.S. manufacturing has succumbed to one of history’s oldest diseases.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis appears easier than the remedy. According to , the American agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere — with its signature tractors painted a brighter green than the color of money — has rewarded executives and shareholders with $10 billion in profit while slashing hundreds of jobs as part of a plan to move production to Mexico. A veteran John Deere worker at the Harvester Works plant in East Moline, Illinois, who spoke anonymously, attributed the company’s decisions to old-fashioned avarice.
“We get wind of more layoffs daily, it seems, and it’s causing uncertainty all over,” the employee said. “The only reason for Deere to do this is greed.” For fiscal year 2023, John Deere used its $10 billion profit to provide massive compensation for company bigwigs.
A total of $26.7 million went to CEO John May. Shareholders saw dividends of more than $1.
4 billion. Meanwhile, since October, the company has slashed nearly 1,500 jobs in Illinois and Iowa. Another 103 workers opted for early retirement following the announced move to Mexico.
In related news, the reported an estimated 81,083 overdose deaths involving opioids in 2023. For 2022, the western Appalachians and industrial Midwest were well represented on the of state-by-state drug overdose mortality. Indeed, neither business leaders nor government officials seem to care ab.
