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 rally was organized by IAM Union District 6 and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council. Supporters from across Iowa attended to show solidarity with workers represented by IAM Local 1526. The layoffs are set to begin Monday, March 9, affecting a significant portion of the plant’s workforce.
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 and tripled its workforce there. Meanwhile, employment at the Amana facility has dropped sharply; 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 event urged Whirlpool to reconsider its decision and called on elected officials to ensure companies receiving public funds are held responsible for protecting jobs. The speaker lineup included labor leaders such as Kerry Waddell from 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 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, both Democratic state legislators and Republican U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson.
Several elected officials joined workers at the rally or expressed support through statements or letters. Among them were congressional candidates Christina Bohannan (District 1), Bob Krause (District 1), Lindsay James (District 2), Clint Twedt-Ball (District 2); state senators Zach Wahls (also U.S. Senate candidate), Josh Turek (also U.S. Senate candidate), Art Staed, Tom Townsend, Liz Bennett; state representatives Aime Wichtendahl, Angel Ramirez, Dan Gosa, Ken Croken; attorney general candidate Nate Willems; Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner; senate candidate Meghann Foster; Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz; and Polly Denison (state representative candidate).
The broader impact of these layoffs is being felt throughout eastern Iowa communities where many families depend on manufacturing jobs like those at Amana. As public attention grows around corporate accountability when taxpayer dollars are involved in economic development deals—and with further job cuts anticipated—union leaders say they will continue pressing both corporate executives and policymakers for stronger worker protections.
