YouTuber Bre from the Chickanic channel has released a scathing video exposing what she calls “corporate greed” by John Deere. In her video, she discusses a significant recall, mass layoffs, and the company’s controversial move out of the United States. Let’s take a look at what she had to say.
The Recall of 23,000 Lawnmowers
Bre opens the video by discussing a recall of over 23,000 John Deere riding lawnmowers. The recall, which has been in effect for over a year and a half, concerns a problematic plastic transmission. She explains that this design flaw, which she had previously warned about, caused significant issues for many consumers.
Plastic Transmission Issues
In her earlier videos, Bre highlighted how the plastic transmission housing with metal gears led to frequent breakdowns. The plastic seal would often fail, causing grease to leak out and necessitating costly repairs. Bre noted that many customers chose not to fix their mowers due to the high cost and likelihood of recurrent issues.
Lack of Awareness About the Recall
Despite the recall, Bre points out that many John Deere customers are still unaware that they can get their transmissions replaced. She emphasizes the injustice faced by those who had already spent money on repairs or new mowers before the recall was announced.
Mass Layoffs and Corporate Strategy
Bre then shifts focus to John Deere’s recent decision to lay off over 1,500 American employees. She criticizes the company’s approach to these layoffs, highlighting how they informed employees via a memo and instructed many to work from home to avoid direct confrontation.
Record Profits Amid Layoffs
What angers Bre most is the fact that John Deere has been reporting record profits over the last few years. She details how the company’s revenue skyrocketed from $36 billion in previous years to $61 billion in 2023, with a net income of $10 billion. Despite this financial success, John Deere has opted to cut American jobs.
Move to Mexico
Bre exposes John Deere’s plan to move their factories to Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, by 2026. She explains that this decision is driven by the significantly lower labor costs in Mexico. For example, an engineer in the U.S. makes around $90,000, whereas in Ramos Arizpe, the equivalent salary is just $20,000.
Impact on American Workers
Bre highlights the stark contrast in salaries between American and Mexican workers, suggesting that the move is purely driven by profit margins. She accuses John Deere of prioritizing corporate greed over loyalty to their American workforce.
Criticism of John Deere’s Management
Bre is particularly critical of John Deere’s management, accusing them of greed and poor decision-making. She mentions how the CEO made $26 million last year, while ordinary workers face job insecurity and layoffs.
“The Right to Repair”
People in the comments shared their thoughts: “John Deere doesn’t believe that farmers should have the right to repair their own tractors.”
One person added: “I won’t touch a John Deere product ever again. I am just one man and I know that they don’t care about me at all. They don’t even care about their employees, why would they care about me?”
Another commenter said: “As a long time Farmer the only reason we paid the high price for green paint was, that John Deere was always quality equipment made in America, I might as well start buying Kubota.”
Final Thoughts
Bre concludes her video by urging viewers to reconsider purchasing John Deere products. She criticizes the company’s recent designs and practices, calling for consumers to hold John Deere accountable for its corporate greed and abandonment of American workers.
Social Responsibility
What do you think? How should corporations balance profit-making with social responsibility to their employees? What impact do mass layoffs and factory relocations have on local economies and communities? How can consumers influence corporate practices through their purchasing decisions?
To dive deeper into this topic, check out the full video on Chickanic’s YouTube channel here.
