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, organized by IAM Union District 6 and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, aimed to show solidarity with workers represented by IAM Local 1526. The layoffs are set to begin Monday, March 9, raising concerns among workers and local residents about job security and corporate responsibility.
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.”
According to IAM Union research, Whirlpool has invested more than $1 billion in Mexico over the past two decades while tripling its workforce there. Meanwhile, employment at the Amana facility has dropped significantly; once employing over 3,000 people, it could be reduced to between 500 and 600 after these layoffs and further cuts expected later in the year.
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 accountable for protecting jobs. Letters sent by IAM International President Brian Bryant have prompted responses from several political leaders across party lines.
A number of elected officials attended or supported the rally, including congressional candidates Christina Bohannan and Bob Krause; state representatives Lindsay James, Aime Wichtendahl, Angel Ramirez, Dan Gosa, Ken Croken; state senators Zach Wahls, Josh Turek (also a U.S. Senate candidate), Art Staed, Tom Townsend, Liz Bennett; Janice Weiner (Iowa Senate Minority Leader); Meghann Foster (Senate candidate); Sami Scheetz (Linn County Supervisor); Polly Denison (state representative candidate); Nate Willems (Attorney General candidate); as well as other labor leaders.
The broader implications of these layoffs highlight ongoing debates about corporate investment decisions affecting American manufacturing jobs. Observers expect continued advocacy from unions and local officials as further developments unfold.
