BASKERVILLE, Va., July 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- John Deere has not reversed or
slow walked their plans to launch an autonomous tractor by 2030,
completely eliminating the farmer from needing to operate the
machine. Although Boyd agrees that farmers need access to new
technology, he believes that John Deere continues to move in the
wrong direction in regards to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(DEI).
Boyd Calls for the Resignation of John
Deere CEO John C. May Amid John Deere Boycott
So much for "Made in America" at John Deere. The company
announced it would lay off 600 more workers in Illinois and Iowa in order to expand to Mexico. Deere announced in June 2022, its Waterloo, Iowa tractor cab plant will move to
Mexico by 2024. Now Deere will
move its skid steer loader and compact track loader production from
Dubuque, Iowa to Mexico by 2026.
On Tuesday, John Deere announced on social media platform
X it would no longer support "social or cultural awareness"
events in response to customer feedback. Deere's decision on DEI
comes just one month after it agreed to pay $1.1 million in back wages and interest to 277
Black and Hispanic job applicants after the Department of Labor
alleged that it found systemic hiring discrimination
at the company.
According to John C. May, Deere
CEO, "A company is only as healthy as its reputation and only as
good as its word. Ultimately, a company is judged by its actions.
"
Boyd and the NBFA are concerned more companies will downplay
diversity goals and scale back DEI programs created to encourage
the advancement of marginalized groups because little was done by
CEO May to address decades of discrimination at Deere. John Deere
is one of the largest debt holders for farmers, right beside the
banks. Boyd has officially requested a meeting with CEO John C May
to no avail to discuss concerns of NBFA Members for years.
Just as we have called for the resignation of Tractor Supply
CEO, Hal Lawton, we also call
for the resignation of Mr. May and boycott of John Deere.
"It is the farmer, not the machine that will take care of the
crop and ensure it grows. I challenge John Deere to service all of
America's farmers, including Black farmers" - John W. Boyd, Jr.
Contact John Boyd, President
at JohnWesleyBoydJR@gmail.com or 434-210-2286
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SOURCE National Black Farmers Association