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Nearly a hundred IAM Union members, community leaders, and elected officials recently gathered to demand accountability from Whirlpool Corp. as the company prepares to lay off approximately 341 workers at its Amana, Iowa, facility beginning Monday, March 9.
The rally, co-hosted by IAM Union District 6 and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, brought together allies from across Iowa to show solidarity with workers represented by IAM Local 1526.
Click here to view the rally.
Click here to view photos from the rally.
Media Coverage of the event:
We will stand with the Whirlpool workers until they get what they deserve,” said IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff Terry Kimmell. “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 Union research shows Whirlpool has invested more than $1 billion in Mexico over the last 20 years, tripling its workforce there, while the Amana facility, which once employed more than 3,000 workers, could be reduced to as few as 500 to 600 workers following the March 9 layoffs and anticipated second-quarter cuts.
“These workers built Whirlpool’s reputation for quality American manufacturing,” said Iowa IAM State Council President and Hawkeye Area Labor Council Executive Director Rick Moyle. “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 called on Whirlpool to reconsider the layoffs and urged elected officials to hold corporations like Whirlpool accountable when public tax dollars are involved.
The lineup of speakers included:
IAM International President Brian Bryant sent letters to every member of the Iowa Congressional delegation and President Trump.
IAM’s letters to elected officials have already drawn responses from some of Iowa’s political leaders, including Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa congressional candidate Christina Bohannan, a strong joint letter from Iowa House and Senate Democrats , and a strong letter from Iowa Republican U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson.
The following elected officials and candidates joined workers and labor leaders at the rally:
The IAM will continue to fight to protect our members at Whirlpool and hold corporations accountable for decisions that impact entire communities.
