MOLINE, Ill. — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D), IL-17, met with John Deere leadership this week at the company's headquarters in Moline. Sorensen, who represents the Illinois Quad Cities area, said the meeting was to get answers on recent layoffs and future plans for Deere.
Since May, the company has announced layoffs impacting more than 1,500 workers at its production facilities and headquarters.
Sorensen provided the following statement regarding Tuesday's meeting:
“On Tuesday, I met with leaders at Deere & Co. to get answers about recent job losses in production and at company headquarters. During the meeting, leadership assured me they have no plans to move headquarters from Moline, home base for the company for the past 180 years. Aside from previously announced layoffs, no additional changes in workforce are expected.
"Deere & Co. also committed to me a better level of communication about the future of the company.
"I remain concerned about the addition of jobs in Mexico at the expense of workers here in the U.S. and will continue to fight for UAW workers in production and salaried employees at headquarters.
"In addition, I will continue my work in the House Agriculture Committee to open markets and decrease volatility in the agriculture sector which will offer more security for companies like Deere & Co.
"To everyone impacted by job cuts, my office stands ready to help in every way we can. My office number is (309) 786-3406.”
News 8 has reached out to Deere to confirm or deny claims in Sorensen's statement and is waiting to hear back. The agricultural equipment manufacturer cites declining sales and rising costs as the reason for the layoffs.