More than 10,000 John Deere workers go on strike in US

More than 10,000 workers with Deere & Company launched a strike at 14 facilities across the United States Thursday after overwhelmingly rejecting a contract negotiated between the farm equipment company and union leadership.

"Our members at John Deere strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules," said Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the UAW's Agricultural Implement department.

"We stay committed to bargaining until our members' goals are achieved."

Deere said it remains "committed" to reaching a new UAW agreement, the company said on its website.

"John Deere is committed to a favorable outcome for our employees, our communities, and everyone involved," said Brad Morris, vice president for labor relations at Deere.

"We will keep working day and night to understand our employees' priorities and resolve this strike, while also keeping our operations running for the benefit of all those we serve."

Deere said it has no estimate of how long the strike will go on.

The UAW announced on Sunday that a tentative agreement negotiated with the company was rejected by 90 percent of union members.

Workers have complained that the salary hikes proposed were insufficient given that the company reported profits of $1.7 billion in the most recent quarter.

The strike is the latest stoppage in the United States and comes on the heels of a strike by around 1,400 workers at cereal company Kellogg.

There are also possible large strikes brewing at health group Kaiser Permanente in California and Oregon, and in Hollywood involving the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE.