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Members of Congress from Minnesota are digging deeper into a decision by Electrolux management to close a freezer and refrigerator plant that employs approximately 900 people in the St. Cloud, Minn., area. The Machinists Union represents workers at the plant, which is scheduled to close by the end of 2019.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, are asking Electrolux CEO Jonas Samuelson to “reconsider your decision as soon as possible.”
Read the full letter from the Minnesota congressional delegation.
“We believe the plant and its workers are among the best in this country and should be viewed as a valuable asset,” the letter reads. The trio also asks Swedish-owned Electrolux to explain its decision to shutter the facility.
Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr., is also looking for answers from Electrolux CEO Jonas Samuelson. The union is currently reaching out to trade unions in Sweden for assistance.
“These loyal, hard-working individuals and their families deserve dignity and respect from Electrolux,” said Martinez. “The very first sentence of the Electrolux International Framework Agreement states that the company ‘is dedicated to being a responsible employer and a good corporate citizen…’ We fail to see how shutting down the St. Cloud plant and throwing close to 1,000 men and women out of work advances this statement. Treating workers in this fashion is simply unacceptable from any company seeking to act as a responsible employer.”
Read the full letter from IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.
