More details released on Whirlpool layoffs

The projected layoff date for the estimated 300 Whirlpool workers is Sept. 14, with company officials potentially moving to level employment to around 950 at the Fort Smith refrigerator production plant.

A reliable source told The City Wire on Tuesday of the effective date and that the company told employees on Monday that employment at the plant would level off at 950.

Officials with Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp. confirmed July 31 that up to 50 salaried employees and an undisclosed number of hourly employees would be laid off sometime in September. The company would not confirm reports from sources that the hourly worker layoff would be around 250. The company also would not confirm reports of a temporary shutdown at the plant to respond to slow consumer demand for new refrigerators.

Jill Saletta, director of external communications for Whirlpool, issued the following statement Tuesday (Aug. 11) when asked about the new details.
“Based on the current customer requirements, the Fort Smith Division has confirmed a schedule reduction that will be effective September 14, 2009. Following our normal process, analysis is underway as to the effect on labor requirements. We expect the results of the analysis in several weeks.”

Whirlpool now employs about 1,350 at the plant, with about 150 of those being salaried (management) positions. Whirlpool has reduced employment at its Fort Smith plant from about 4,500 in early 2006 to about 1,350 today. Whirlpool Chairman and CEO noted in the company’s recent earnings report that consumer demand continues to fall.

Whirlpool is seeking to lay off 100 workers at its Evansville, Ind., refrigerator production plant, according to a July 24 report in the Evansville Courier & Press. The hourly work force at the Evansville plant has declined from 1,900 to 800 in the past five years.