Episode Details

Are the glory days of Midwest manufacturing being dismantled piece by piece?

Whirlpool’s latest job cuts in Amana, Iowa, are more than just business adjustments—they are a wake-up call for the American labor movement. In this episode, we sit down with IAM Union leaders and a 30-year plant veteran to discuss the steady erosion of one of Iowa’s most vital manufacturing hubs.

From a peak of 3,000 workers to well under 1,000 today, we explore how attrition, line removals and offshoring are hollowing out the community of Amana.

Inside this episode:

• The Reality of the Cuts: How 350+ recent layoffs are affecting local families and suppliers.
• The "Warehouse" Strategy: Why union leaders fear the plant is being transitioned away from production.
• Tax Incentives vs. Offshoring: A hard look at the $70 million in public support Whirlpool received while expanding production in Mexico.
• The Call for Accountability: What the IAM Union is doing to demand answers from elected officials.

Guests:

• Sam Cicinelli – IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President
• Todd “Kerry” Waddell – IAM Union District 6 Assisting Business Representative
• Sandy Freytag – IAM Union Member & 32-year Whirlpool Veteran