Whirlpool Will Close US Plant in June; Send Jobs to Mexico

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Workers Independent News

Whirlpool plans to close a U.S. refrigerator plant in June to ship more American jobs to Mexico.

By Doug Cunningham

Whirlpool Corporation is shutting down a refrigerator plant in Evansville, Indiana that will put 1100 people out of work. Are they having trouble selling refrigerators in these bad economic times? No. Whirlpool is profitable and still selling plenty of refrigerators here. But they want to ship these jobs to Mexico where they can produce them cheaper and without having to respect U.S. labor and environmental regulations. Whirlpool took $19 million in economic recovery money and now instead of helping our economy recover, it’s destroying 1100 good American jobs. The AFL-CIO has started an online petition drive telling Whirlpool to “Keep It Made In America” to save our jobs. You can find it at unionvoice.org/campaign/Evansville The AFL-CIO says Whirlpool should reverse its decision to keep these 1100 jobs in the U.S. and help our economic recovery. The labor federation says taxpayer economic recovery money should be used to create jobs in America, not ship them to cheap labor markets in other countries.


Read more: http://www.laborradio.org/node/13433

---

This story is not copyrighted and may be shared. Be nice and include a link when you do so. :-)

[Omaha Steve]

1. Look what I found

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9FB07200.htm

Among the earnings stories for Monday, April 26, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Federal rebates for energy-efficient appliances pulled shoppers back into stores, helping Whirlpool Corp.'s revenue rise and its first-quarter profit more than double, the company said.

[flvegan]

2. I believe it, as I was one of them.

I specifically bought my new fridge because I trusted the name (Maytag by Whirlpool) and it had the Made in the USA label on it.

[SocialistLez]

24. Same here

We bought a new washer not too long ago and it said, "MADE IN THE USA."

I was a bit skeptical.
My parents make the majority of our economic decisions and they don't put a lot of concern into if it's made in the USA, even though they should.

[bjobotts]

63. This personal greed at the cost of our nation has got to stop if we are to save our national economy

[bjobotts]

64. Through increased tarriffs, tax penalties and incentives our gov. could make it more costly to outso

outsource our manufacturing jobs. Except for a greedy few our entire nation would be prosperous for everyone.

[bjobotts]

68. We already have the answers to all our problems but are blocked by a greedy few..

Roll back the Reagan tax cuts, place a small tax on ALL Wall street transactions, increase tariffs, and use tariffs and tax penalties and tax incentives to make it less profitable to outsource jobs and services to other nations. Down with NAFTA and the WTO and federalize the fed. Make it mandatory that all new buildings constructed must have solar panels and retrofit what we already have including houses...talk about a works incentive program.

If we understand how to fix these things why can't our elected officials get it?

[melm00se]

76. tariffs tariffs tariffs

the solution to all of the USA's economic woes are tariffs.

What happens when Country A places a tariff on imports from country B?

Retaliatory tariffs is what.

US "Tire" Tariff (2009) = Chinese Tariff on US Chickens (2010)
US Steel tariff (2002) = Threat to retaliate with European tariffs on products ranging from Florida oranges to cars
Smoot Hawley tariffs (1930) = Retaliatory tariffs by Canada, France and Great Britain


If you think for a second that Country B will stand by and allow Country A to dramatically impact A's economy you are being naive.

[laughingliberal]

94. Ok, then let's just keep outsourcing and moving all our jobs to other countries

Then, when we're all prepared to work for $5.00 per day, maybe our overlords will deign to move a job or 2 back here for us.

[happygoluckytoyou]

97. work to be done by MEXICANS RETURNING FROM ARIZONA.... see, it all works out ! ! !

[napi21]

3. Quite a while ago I sent a letter to Sharp telling them I needed a new

microwave but I eliminated their brand from my search because they moved their mfg. out of the US. I have done the same every time I needed a new appliance, but I'm running out of options. I shouldn't need any new ones real soon, but my fridge is 11 years old so who knows how long it will last. I wish every consumer would do the same. MAYBE then these co's will change their minds. Maybe we should also sent a similar letterto the co's who have already moved out that we re buyinga new XXXX and yu aren't in the running because you dont make America anymore!

[DissedByBush]

48. Sadly, KitchenAid is a Whirlpool brand

My favorite kitchen appliance brand, and now this.

Damn!

[pundaint]

69. If you've used any of the foreign-sourced KA garbage your opinion would have already changed. It's

garbage and the company offers only dollars off coupons toward more foreign sourced garbage in compensation for early failure.

[The abyss]

4. Recommend

Wake up!

kick

[Jakes Progress]

5. Now their CEO will be able to afford

to put the gold fixtures in the downstairs guest bathroom at the second vacation home.

[OhioChick]

6. And the trend continues....

:(

[CLANG]

7. Whirlpool, check.

[DissedByBush]

53. Kenmore, Inglis, Admiral, Maytag

All, or mostly, Whirlpool.

I'm divided though and would have to do research before buying. Whirlpool still makes an awful lot of stuff in the US.

[CLANG]

59. You're right, we're hosed. There aught to be a law!

[msongs]

8. whirlpool is just doing its bit to reduce immigration into the US lol nt

[Blandocyte]

9. MotherFukkerz

"Whirlpool took $19 million in economic recovery money and now instead of helping our economy recover, it’s destroying 1100 good American jobs. " Mutherfukkerz.

[JNelson6563]

36. Amen.

Mutherfukkerz indeed!

[OnlinePoker]

10. This is a serious question...

...but what exactly do you think these countries do with the development money the U.S. sends them? I continually see on here how we have to help the developing world, but then begrudge the fact that the development created then takes away U.S. (or in my case, Canadian) jobs. How is it possible to have a positive outcome on both sides, development in the 3rd world and protection of domestic jobs?

[livingonearth]

22. They're not interested in development of 3rd world countries...

other than to make a buck. It's all about the low slave-like wages they can get away with, and lack of environmental rules and safety regulations. They are totally doing it for the money and little else. To truly have a positive outcome both ways, there would need to be more balance in wages, regulations etc. on both sides. And, I don't know about you, but I truly believe we are not a 3rd world country in The States, or in Canada because we have(or should I say had) good wages, safety regulations and environmental rules.

[rucky]

52. It is sort of a catch 22

for us to have a surplus, we need to export more than we import. For that, we need our trading partners to be strong consumers, which means they need to be productive, too. The only way to get them to consume more is to get them to produce more.

It would make sense for both economies in that case to produce for domestic consumption first, import the raw materials they need but don't have, and trade the surplus. There seems to be two opportunities for trade there: raw materials and finished products. Then the most resourceful and the most productive nations both have a shot.

Creating competition doesn't seem to be as much of a problem as the agreement between producers and consumers to go as cheaply as possible, which will almost always mean producing overseas and lowering our own standard of living.

[newportdadde]

11. Waiting for the DLC outsourcing folks to stop by...

You know.. global economy, workers will just retrain for exciting new careers... etc etc.

Or maybe the employment numbers are a lagging indicator folks will stop by. Of course what they fail to mention and seem to ignore is that someone making 15-20 bucks an hour at this job at Whirlpool, if they replace that job with one making 8.50 they may not 'count' but their buying power is GONE.

[SocialistLez]

26. +1 NT

[livingonearth]

28. Yes, their buying power will be gone.

Isn't it ironic how it never dawns on these outsource executives that they are destroying their own customer base by sending American jobs elsewhere.

[SocialistLez]

30. They figure "the new middle class"

in Mexico, China, India, etc. will pick up our slack.

Afterall, the customer base in China and India is larger....

[Flatulo]

31. Oh, they're well aware. The slogan in the exectutive suite is IBG, YBG, which means

'I'll be gone, you'll be gone.'

[MisterP]

47. that'll be a problem for a future executive, not them

to keep jobs in the US we need government intervention, or even direct involvement--and we won't get that with only a choice of neoliberals; a neolib will never have government help a sector for the sake of its employees, only for investors; they're basically viceroys for a colonial empire that has no territory (like France, Britain, or Spain did)

[Jim Sagle]

37. Oh, you're just a silly old xenophobe.

/five buck an hour DLC hogwash dispenser mode off

[HughBeaumont]

81. They'll just show up as "Ignored".

Free Traitor/Job offshoring supporters don't belong in the Big Tent, IMO. There's nothing democratic about cheerleading workers losing their livelihoods.

[DemoTex]

12. KitchenAid

FYI: KitchenAid is a home appliance brand owned by Whirlpool Corporation.

[PSzymeczek]

21. Please, Hobart!

Buy KitchenAid back! Make them in the Miami Valley again!

[Dappleganger]

38. Whirlpool ruined KitchenAid.

They were never the same after that.

[freebrew]

99. Hobart is owned by ITW.

Illinois Tool Works, a large conglomerate, very anti-union, mostly monopolizes everything they get into.
They buy companies that are available for good price. Then, they look for ways to cut labor costs.
They are in love with outsourcing. They really dislike older, more experienced workers.

Gotta have 8% growth, or you get axed.
These people are evil. I've had experience with them.
Hobart is not the answer.

[Zech Marquis The 2nd]

40. shit, I sold two Kitchenaid dishwashers today at work...

now after reading this I feel guilty as hell..:-(

[guyton]

13. Change the rules!

Folks - you can't fault the companies for trying to make a buck. They are basically required to try and maximize profits.

You have to change the rules to make it more profitable for them to do the right thing.

What good is a minimum wage law when jobs are easily exported?
What good are pollution restrictions when manufacturing can easily go out of the country?
What good are corporate tax rates when profits can be hidden offshore?

Hoping that corporations should behave morally is a waste of time. You might get a temporary improvement with protests and negative publicity, but to get real change you have to change the rules so they behave properly as a matter of law.

We need tariffs. We need trade policies designed to keep jobs in the US. We need politicians with backbones.

I'm not opposed to "free trade" ... when the offshore jobs have comparable minimum wage rates, pollution controls, and rights to unionize. Else we're just gutting our own job market by allowing this to continue.

[SocialistLez]

27. Preachin' to the choir

We should have had strict rules on the money this company (and many others) were given.
They had to keep production in the U.S. for at least 10-15 years.

Just like the bailout money. They handed the evil fat cat bankers TONS of cash and then they act surprised when they start handing out bonuses like it's going out of style.

I'm with you here: "I'm not opposed to 'free trade'...when the offshore jobs have comparable minimum wage rates, pollution controls, and rights to unionize."

[Scruffy1]

55. Well said

Unless we have fair trade policies we will continue to lose jobs. The executive in a capitalistic system sole responsibility is to maximize profits and has nothing to do with the interest of the workers or customers. We never eliminated the 19th century labor practices, we just moved to other countries.

[dkf]

14. If they kept the plant in the US but fired everyone and hired only illegal workers what is the

Difference?

I don't really understand why we are unhappy about plants moving to Mexico and okay with having illegal immigrants do all the work instead of Americans.

[Omaha Steve]

20. Illegal immigrants don't get good paying jobs with benefits

They get paid under the table. They are treated worse than non union Americans. No safety. No workers comp. And IF they complain, the company tells immigration to get them. IF you want to stop illegals from these situations, bust the employers!

[dkf]

25. But won't they get just as bad conditions if it's located in Mexico?

It looks like the same result. Americans lose their jobs and Mexicans in Mexico or illegal immigrants in the US get paid badly and work in bad conditions. The only difference is the location but the result is the same. No decent paying job for Americans and badly treated mexicans or illegal immmigrants.

But Democrats only get mad when the plant is moved out of the US. I don't see much outrage over a plant that is staffed with illegal workers.

[AlphaCentauri]

43. Legalize the illegals and you get to keep the management and office jobs

then the illegals can be part of unions and have full labor rights

[dkf]

58. No then the only choice will be to move plants to Mexico.

The goal is to pay less for labor. It is fulfilled by hiring illegal labor here or moving down to Mexico. The point isn't to pay good wages here or there.

[LanternWaste]

92. I see quite a bit of anger directed towards management...

I see quite a bit of anger directed towards management who hires undocumented workers on DU. I guess we all see that which better validates our opinions...

[xsquid]

77. This is ridiculously wrong. My wife speaks

no english, works for butterball and makes good money with benefits. Yes, she's legal and thats not the the point, but everyone we know speaks spanish and almost all are illegal. There are lots of illegals working there using stolen ssn's, etc. They get blue cross insurance for 10.00 a week, I pay 400.00 a month for blue cross through the federal insurance. Both have about the same coverage. Tyson, ok foods, etc. all employ thousands of illegals and have good benefits. I knew some that were working at whirlpool in fort smith with crooked papers. The millions of illegals here are not all fruit pickers, my first wife's brother worked for fedex with crooked papers.

It's a myth that illegals are all working here paid under the table, there are lots of people selling crooked papers that will allow them to work. Most, but not all, are based on names and ssn's of children. When they run a check the name and ssn comes up legal, but they are not allowed to report to the employer the age, etc. Butterball actually has a very tough policy on hiring illegals, but wthe illegals they hire are using someone elses name and ssn and since the company's did thre required checks and they came back legal they cannot be held responsible. They did what they were supposed to.

I agree there are some places that hire illegals knowingly, but by far most of the companies like this cannot catch the illegals when they apply using a legal id. The system has to be changed to hold the companies responsible.

It's as stated here, the system does not catch most illegals, I know many that have worked many years on stolen ids. It gets confusing because they have different names at home than at work.:

http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2010/feb/illegal-aliens-beat-e-verify-stolen-ids

[amandabeech]

84. If they have fake IDs, they don't work under the table.

Not all employers use the SS ID check.

[bc3000]

15. Better Mexico than China.

The US immigration problem will only be resolved by increasing prosperity in Mexico.

[Dappleganger]

39. No.

Both scenarios result in killing the American Union and American jobs!

[mckara]

45. Not Really, Because of the Low Value of the Peso...

Mexico's labor costs are cheaper than China's.

It's called: Predatory Capitalism!

[Cleobulus]

73. Uhm if you think this increases "prosperity" in Mexico, you are out of your mind. n/t

[jody]

16. What is the break-even point where job migration to Mexico will stop illegal immigration from MX? nt

[lib2DaBone]

17. where the hell is our CONgress and Mr. Obama on this?

..We are still shedding jobs to China and Mexico.

I think this just points to the fact that no one in Washington D.C. thinks there is a job crisis.

Last night's Senior Prom for so-called "journalists" was an indication that no one in the Main-Steam-Media has a clue about what is going on.. that is for sure..

[blueknight]

32. where are they?

LOL. they are flying around the country on OUR dime spending money like drunken sailors. they dont give a fuck about whirlpool employees, just whirlpool stockholders. sad but true, proven time after time

[SocialistLez]

49. +1 NT

[Divine Discontent]

18. yep. my mom said this was on here a few months ago as a plan, how sad. Our jobs are going to Mexico

and yet there's not a lot we can do... dirty corporations, anything for money.

[RainDog]

19. I would support a HUGE tax on goods made outside of the U.S.

luxury products are available still and those who can afford the luxury can afford the tax.

those things that are essentials can be made here or the cos can be taxed for moving to cheaper labor markets as a cost of doing business... and the money can go into adult eduction and training, affordable housing and health care.

also, Americans buy a lot of crap. cheap wally world stuff wouldn't be as cheap anymore. we need to consume less crap, so this would be an incentive to think about how people spend their money.

[SocialistLez]

29. +1

Good luck getting our "representatives" to consider such a thing.

Until people wake up and see Dems and Repubs are pretty much alike...we're going nowhere fast.

Sure we have a few good apples like Dennis Kucinich but he's a drop in dirty bucket.

[joeglow3]

42. Tariff wars have not worked so well in the past.

[tsuki]

66. Works well for China and India. They have huge tariffs on imports. nt

[Dappleganger]

85. Well things are so GREAT right now, aren't they!

[amandabeech]

86. Well, think of the time before NAFTA and MFN for China.

We had reasonable tariffs and a trade agreement with Canada.

There were a least a reasonable number of manufacturing jobs and plants here in the U.S. and fewer people were hurting.

It is the new regime of lowered tariffs for goods coming from cheap labor/no regulatgions that is doing us in.

If this keeps up, and we continue to increase our population, you're going to have a lot of permanently unemployed folks, particularly young men, with nothing to do and time on their hands.

That is not a situation that has worked out so well in the past in any country.

[mckara]

46. Me Too! Tariffs on U.S. Traitor Corporations!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

23. Traitors!!!!!!!!

[usregimechange]

33. Last time I buy something from them.

[WoodyM]

34. Whirlpool also makes appliances

sold by sears.

[safeinOhio]

35. Whirlpool dishwasher

are made here in Ohio. The plant in Findlay has expanded in the last year, although much of it from the closing of a plant in Tenn. I believe, but sent here instead on Mexico. They have also bought a closed factory close to Findlay and started production back up at that one.

If you buy a dishwasher from them, and please do, send a letter saying you'd also like to buy a fridg from them too if it to was built here.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

41. BOYCOTT!!!

[kiranon]

44. Absolutely! Are any washer/dryers made in the US? nt/

[SocialistLez]

50. I hope this helps

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/appliances.html

http://www.ecowise.com/product_info.php?products_id=672&osCsid=4628cdd00f8182a16b5553f49f085fde

[rpannier]

71. Thanks for the link

It's kind of depressing when you think people have to actively look for Made in the USA

[kiranon]

98. Thanks. n/t

[jdadd]

51. Whirlpool.....

They still make top load washers and dryers in Marion Ohio.

[Divine Discontent]

56. MARION, OHIO! Still making them. Seek them out - we gotta save our jobs and inform Whirlpool we

won't buy items they make in Mexico.

http://www.whirlpool.com/custserv/email_form.jsp

[gateley]

65. Thank you for the link -- Whirlpool needs to hear from us -- and we need to

spread the word.

[alp227]

54. What'd they want to do, send the Mexicans back home?

This is ridiculous. Companies are just frickin' greedy all the frickin' time. smh

I wonder if the pigs at the board of directors at Whirlpool supported Arizona SB1070.

[Divine Discontent]

57. Exactly...

[Initech]

60. More outsourcing bullshit. ARGH!!!!

[bertman]

61. This decision and Whirlpool's threats against its about-to-be-fired workers to NOT

talk about this or risk getting bad employment recommendations from Whirlpool Corporate came out a few months ago. I wrote them a letter then telling them I would NEVER buy another Whirlpool product and I have several in my house right now.

Scared them to death didn't I??!!

I highly Recommend this thread.

[kysrsoze]

62. Now I feel like a jerk for just having bought two new Whirlpool appliances

Next time, I'll again ensure it's American made, and if it isn't available, Samsung. I'm not going to reward Whirlpool for being greedy scumbags.

[1776Forever]

80. Please read my post link below - 2,400 people in Marion OH will thank you!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4365291&mesg_id=4365710

[proteus_lives]

67. Bastards.

It will be a cold day in hell before I buy a Whirlpool product.

[jaxx]

70. Around here we don't buy anything Maytag/Whirlpool.

Maytag closed up here and moved to Mexico in 2004. Maytag moved to Iowa and Whirlpool bought them out and closed up there too. This is an article from the local paper with some history about the closings. Maytag is a 4 letter word to the people of Galesburg.

http://www.galesburg.com/opinions/x254761129

[James48]

72. There is something else we need to export-

We need to export UNION LABOR ORGANIZING to every country in the world, and help their workers move to change laws, provide fair regulatory environments for organizing workers, and teach them how to do battle with corporations in every corner of the world.

We need to help them and teach them in Mexico how to change the laws to be more in favor of worker rights. And in every other nation as well. We need to teach human dignity and teach workers outside the US how to fight for their human rights. And then we need to support them in their struggle too.

Who the heck knew, when I was young, that I would be shouting in my old age about how important it would be for a world-wide struggle for Union representation???

Yes- this should be the number one U.S. Export- how to organize workers!

[Quantess]

74. Meanwhile, the US could stand to import some of that from Japan, Germany, France, Norway, etc....

Because their workers have it a lot better than we do.

Edit to add: and repeal NAFTA, CAFTA, and GATT.

[SocialistLez]

82. +1 NT

[Vinca]

75. I heard about this a couple of months ago and wrote the company

to complain, mentioning my immediate need to purchase an appliance and that it wouldn't be Whirlpool. Some suit actually sent me a long email justifying the move. BS, I say. If Americans don't get the jobs we can't afford to buy the product.

[1776Forever]

78. Terrible news! The Ohio Whirlpool plant is still open and employs 2,400 including my son

This Marion Ohio plant has fought long and hard to stay in the United States! They have been told in the past they might be moved but so far due to their dedication and hard work they have managed to stay in Marion OH. There are other plants in the US also but it is truly tragic that they are moving the IN plant!

If you didn't know they do make a lot of brand names that aren't Whirlpool from wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Corporation#cite_note-5

Whirlpool also manufactures certain appliances under the Kenmore label, (manufactured for Sears Holdings Corporation). Whirlpool has expanded the marketing of Inglis appliances which are sold in the United States at Best Buy stores. Whirlpool also manufactures IKEA brand appliances for low-cost home products retailer IKEA and Admiral appliances for Home Depot.

[SocialistLez]

83. Thanks for this info.

I wish I had the money to buy up a bunch of this stuff just to keep these workers employed.

When I have time later on today, I will post this on a thread on another forum I frequent. Some of the people there are into "Made in the USA."

What kind of products does this plant make?

[1776Forever]

89. Thanks! They make Washing Machines Dryers/Ironers at Marion and Freezers in Ottawa OH - Link below

Whirlpool planning to add 324 jobs at Ottawa plant
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2010/Apr/27/ar_news_042710_story3.asp?d=042710_story3,2010,Apr,27&c=n

OTTAWA -- Whirlpool Corp. on Monday was awarded an $820,961 state tax credit, over seven years, to add 324 jobs at the former W.C. Wood factory in Ottawa.

...............

Whirlpool gets Ohio tax credit for freezer plant
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 11:28 a.m.

http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=449129

OTTAWA, OHIO (AP) -- State officials have agreed to give appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. a job tax credit worth $821,000 over seven years to expand operations at a northern Ohio freezer plant.

Whirlpool bought the factory in Ottawa last year from a Canadian company. It called back 125 workers in January but promised employment for only about three months. Now Whirlpool says it will keep the factory open and expand employment to 190 this year.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved the job tax credit Monday.

Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., has about 10,000 workers in Ohio, with appliance factories in Clyde, Marion and Findlay.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Dappleganger]

90. You should make this a separate OP.

Hurray for good news! I've been thinking we need a new chest freezer this year, so maybe now's a good time to get one. :)

[Union Yes]

79. K&R for the heads up, sad as it is. This infuriates me.

That this shit still happens this far into a Dem President's admin with party control of both chambers.

Where is the fucking change, elected Dems?

:grr:

[pleah]

87. Another nail in the coffin of the American work force. n/t

[workinclasszero]

88. Yeah I see the economy is really on the upswing.

Just not here.

Hows that free trade global economy thingy workin out for ya Americans?

I'm sure the assholes at Whirlpool will get a big tax break for deserting the country and plunging even more Americans into poverty.

[blue97keet]

91. Stop the northward flow of refrigerators and the southward flow of corn

[DainBramaged]

93. My next appliance (dishwasher) will be a Samsung, yes a Korean appliance

I will never give Whirlpool or anny of their subsidies my business again, and I have brought many washer, dryers, Kitchen Aid refrigerators and dishwashers through the decades. Fuck them. And yes, I am going against principle but there are NO appliance manufacturers left in the USA.

[dmallind]

95. Then this is one hell of a fake....

http://www.bing.com/maps/Default.aspx?encType=1&v=2&ss=ypid.YN672x11676728&style=r&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLDP

[fatbuckel]

96. Everybody thank Wal-mart and Lowe`s and Depot and the lot......

We just want it cheaper,we don`t care how good it is or who gets screwed making it.

[laylah]

100. Well, I emailed them. My dad worked for

Admiral, then Whirlpool, for 42 years. There was a time these bastards cared about their workers!