In a move that Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO President Charlie Wishman is calling “outrageous,” Whirlpool has announced plans to lay off 651 workers from its Amana, Iowa plant effective June 1.
The appliance manufacturer has cited the move as being necessary to adjust production in line with consumer demand, which includes the French door and column refrigerators manufactured there. The company has assured it is not a tariff-related decision.
This is a blow to Iowa, which has experienced 7,600 manufacturing layoffs over the last year, which happens to follow a decision to reduce unemployment supports and gut the state’s economic safety net.
