Thread regarding John Deere layoffs

EAST MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) - Hundreds of John Deere employees worked their last shift on Friday as a part of the layoffs that have being happening this the summer.

Deere has laid off hundreds of Quad-City workers at Davenport Works, Harvester Works and Seeding and Cylinder.

Diego Moreno, a former employee at Harvester Works, said there wasn’t a lot going on during his last shift on Friday and said he recently signed up for college courses through Deere.

“I’ve had a few rough jobs, and honestly it’s probably the best job I had, kind of su-ks, but at the end of the day, it is what it is,” Moreno said. “Just can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.”

Jacob Long, a former employee at Harvester Works, said his last shift was eerie with many employees saying goodbye and giving each other well-wishes.

“I have no hard feelings against the company, I understand from a company standpoint,” Long said.

Long said he is currently looking for jobs and is considering going to college for business with Deere’s help.

“I’ll probably go into business, maybe for TIG welding and then after that, I’ll go into that career, pursue that, and then if I get called back, I’ll come back,” Long said.

Nicholis Behnken, a former quality inspector for Deere, said he’s going trade school through Deere and wants to come back to the company.

“I’m not upset, but if this is end of the road, you know, I’ve had a great time,” Behnken said. “I’ve had a good time helping people out and helping support the communities and farmers.”