Nearly one hundred members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, along with community leaders and elected officials, gathered on March 9 to call for accountability from Whirlpool Corporation as the company prepares to lay off about 341 workers at its Amana, Iowa facility.
The event was organized by IAM Union District 6 and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council. Supporters from across Iowa attended to show solidarity with IAM Local 1526 members who are affected by the layoffs. The rally comes as Whirlpool moves forward with job cuts that could reduce the Amana workforce to between 500 and 600 employees, down from more than 3,000 in previous years.
Terry Kimmell, IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff, said: “We will stand with the Whirlpool workers until they get what they deserve. The layoffs are a failure to hold corporations accountable and a signal that Iowa must strengthen worker protections in economic development agreements. Our union will continue to fight for the 341 men and women who have given years of their lives to make this company successful.”
IAM research indicates that over the past two decades, Whirlpool has invested more than $1 billion in Mexico and tripled its workforce there. Rick Moyle, President of the Iowa IAM State Council and Executive Director of the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, said: “These workers built Whirlpool’s reputation for quality American manufacturing. Whirlpool took $21.5 million in Iowa taxpayer money with no requirement to protect a single job, and now they’re shipping that work to Mexico. Iowa workers and Iowa taxpayers deserve better.”
Other speakers at the rally urged Whirlpool to reconsider its decision and called on elected officials to ensure companies receiving public funds are held responsible for protecting jobs. The lineup included labor leaders such as Kerry Waddell of IAM District 6; Sandy Freytag, a longtime Whirlpool worker; Mike Sadler from Cedar Rapids Building & Construction Trades; Laura Saucer from Iowa County Community Development; Nate Willems, labor attorney; Charlie Wishman from the Iowa State Federation of Labor; among others.
IAM International President Brian Bryant sent letters regarding the layoffs to every member of Iowa’s Congressional delegation as well as President Trump. These efforts have prompted responses from several political figures including Governor Kim Reynolds, congressional candidate Christina Bohannan, state Democrats in both chambers, and Republican U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson.
Several elected officials and candidates also joined workers at the rally in support of those affected by the layoffs.
