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 event was organized by IAM Union District 6 and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council. The rally aimed to show solidarity with workers represented by IAM Local 1526 who are affected by the job cuts. Supporters included labor leaders, local officials, and candidates for public office.
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 cited at the rally, Whirlpool has invested more than $1 billion in Mexico over two decades while tripling its workforce there. Meanwhile, employment at the Amana facility has dropped from over 3,000 workers to an expected range of just 500 to 600 after these layoffs and further anticipated cuts 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 rally urged Whirlpool to reconsider its decision and called on elected officials to ensure companies receiving public funds are held responsible for protecting jobs. The lineup included labor representatives 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; Pastor Kevin Jones; 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 and both Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
A number of elected officials attended or supported the rally alongside union members—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, Josh Turek, 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.
The broader implications include concerns about corporate accountability when public tax dollars are involved and ongoing calls for stronger worker protections tied to economic incentives.
