The world’s largest manufacturer of home appliances is cutting its workforce in eastern Iowa. A spokesperson for Whirlpool, Jill Saletta, says employees of the plant in Amana were informed of the decision this morning
"It’s a mix of voluntary and involuntary layoffs affecting 440 people," Saletta said. "A number of them will be effective on October 13th, with the balance effective on October 20th." The Whirlpool plant in Amana has roughly 2,000 employees. Saletta blames the layoffs on the overall downturn in the economy.
"It’s unfortunate, but market conditions are affecting just about everybody right now," Saletta said. A number of employees told KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids that the announcement did not come as a surprise, since the company had previously asked for voluntary layoffs. About 110 employees agreed to that request. Whirlpool’s corporate headquarters are located in Benton Harbor, Michigan.