Update: Uaw blasts Deere plant closures as 'attack on the working class of Iowa'

The United Auto Workers on Wednesday denounced John Deere's decision to close two Iowa factories, calling the move an attack on Iowa's working class, KCRG reports. "The UAW is disgusted by John Deere's latest attack on the working class of Iowa," the union said in a statement, adding it will use "every tool at our disposal, from our contract negotiations in 2027, to legislative and executive action, to keep good jobs in Iowa and stop the one-sided class war waged by John Deere." The statement follows Deere's announcement earlier Wednesday that it will close its Ottumwa and Clarion factories and relocate some production from Moline. Windrower production will move from Ottumwa to Des Moines by the end of fiscal year 2027, and round baler production will follow by the end of FY 2028, after which Deere says it will close the Ottumwa factory. The company is also ending operations at its Hagie factory in Clarion by FY 2029 and moving small planter production from Moline, Illinois, to Paton in central Iowa. Deere said it is evaluating "strategic sourcing opportunities" in its Construction and Forestry Division, which includes the Dubuque Works facility, an evaluation the company says is meant to strengthen competitiveness and manage costs. Deere attributed the closures to changes in customer demand and available manufacturing capabilities. The company most recently posted a $1.3 billion profit, up $100 million from a year ago. Earlier Wednesday, RDN reported the Ottumwa closure announcement and the Dubuque Works review.