Question about a specific lay off...160 at John Deere in Monline..

[Stuart G]

News announced today.. 160 layoffs on indefinite leave due to slow orders.

What the hell does that mean? How many at the plant in total. If there are a couple of thousand, well yes 160 is bad, but that would be only 6 percent or so. Not too bad

Does anyone know the total workforce at Moline Iowa Deere plant. I would really like to know the total truth, not some stupid sound bite meant to scare everyone...Thanks..
Stuart.

p.s. cant find it anywhere off hand. I doubt it is some sort of state secret..

[rurallib]

1. Ankeny

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090408/BUSINESS/90408003
"Deere & Co. said Wednesday it will lay off 160 of the 1,400 employees at its plant in Ankeny due to reduced demand for hay and mowing equipment."

My recollection is that Deere goes through hires and layoffs rather frequently.

eta
"Deere last month announced plans to lay off 220 workers in Dubuque, 105 in Davenport and 40 in Ottumwa."

[Stuart G]

2. Thank you very much. a little more than 10 percent, I know

Deere increases their hires and layoffs frequently. These are good paying union jobs. Most likely if farm prices increase, these employees will get a call back. Deere is not going broke...

[pleah]

3. Here is a link I found.

http://www.ottumwa.com/local/local_story_090233245.html
http://news.google.com/news?um=1&ned=us&cf=all&ncl=1329166786