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After operating for almost eight decades, Electrolux closed its factory in St. Cloud, Minnesota in November 2019, resulting in the loss of jobs for about 900 IAM Local 623 members. The plant, which accounted for roughly 17 percent of the town’s manufacturing jobs, was consolidated to the company’s non-union facility in Anderson, SC.
“Ever since we became Machinists, they were always threatening to move the plant jobs,” said IAM member Joe Baratta, who is laid off.
The Electrolux plant is one of dozens of IAM-represented facilities that have closed during the Trump administration.
“It’s going to impact the economy of St. Cloud at some point,” said IAM member and former employee Chad Randall. “People have always done their jobs. I think the company will see in the end that they’re going to regret not having us around anymore.”
“I’m going to miss all the people I work with,” commented IAM member and former employee Jean Klatt.
Watch the IAM’s video about the Electrolux plant closing on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Watch all the IAM’s “Broken Promise” videos.
“It is no coincidence that Electrolux closed this plant and moved its production to a right to work state like South Carolina,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Corporate greed isn’t anything new, but under the Trump administration it has become more prevalent. Not only have plant closings such as this one directly affected workers and their families, it has had a ripple effect in their communities. We will vote on November 3 for a change in leadership that will protect good union jobs and hold companies like Electrolux accountable.”
“The closings of many plants around the country have sadly become all too familiar under the Trump administration,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Union jobs in America are under siege. The Machinists have been leading the fight to vote out this administration and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on November 3. Their administration will stop pandering to the corporate elite and start bringing back good union jobs.”
