Nearly a 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 over $1 billion in Mexico during the past two decades and tripled its workforce there. Meanwhile, employment at the Amana facility has dropped sharply; once employing more than 3,000 people, it could be reduced to between 500 and 600 workers after these layoffs and further cuts expected in the second quarter.
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 situation 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; joint letters from House and Senate Democrats; and letters from Republican U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson.
Elected officials attending or supporting the rally included multiple state representatives, senators, congressional candidates, county supervisors, and other local leaders.
The broader impact of these layoffs is being felt throughout both the local community in Amana and across Iowa’s labor movement. Organizers say they will continue advocating for stronger worker protections tied to economic incentives.
