John Deere considers using overseas plants and US strikebreakers
CNN
John Deere says it is looking at all options to provide products to its customers, including possibly using strikebreakers or importing equipment from overseas factories it operates.
More than 10,000 members of the United Auto Workers union remain on strike at 12 Midwest factories and facilities of the farm and construction equipment company. In a vote concluded Tuesday a majority of members rejected a tentative deal that would have ended the walkout.
The company will now work on what it refers to as its "customer service continuation plan," said Marc Howze, its chief administrative officer in an interview with CNN Business. As part of that, the company is looking whether it can use the 59 factories it operates outside the United States to help during the strike. Asked if Deere is looking at importing products from those factories to fill US orders, he responded, "That's something we're exploring."