Workers strike over pay at Brazil John Deere plant

SAO PAULO, March 15 (Reuters) - More than half of the 1,700 workers at a John Deere (DE.N) manufacturing plant in southern Brazil went on strike on Monday over pay demands, the firm's management said, adding deliveries were unaffected.

"We sat down with the union on Friday for the first time and did not expect them to go on strike this morning," said Alfredo Miguel Neto, director of corporate affairs in South America.

Around 1,000 workers were taking part in the open-ended strike. Miguel said he expected them to return to work soon and said negotiations are happening.

"We will have no problems meeting our deliveries to clients," said Miguel.

The main market for the factory's harvesters and planters are Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.

The local union chapter was not immediately available for comment. Local news agency Agencia Estado reported that the union was demanding a 10 percent pay raise, reinstatement of year-end collective holidays and bonuses for unhealthy working conditions.