Whirlpool to lay off 350 workers at Iowa factory

Union appeals to White House for help, but layoffs still planned despite Trump's manufacturing promises

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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About 350 Whirlpool factory workers in rural Iowa will lose their jobs on March 9, a blow to a community where the plant has anchored the local economy for eight decades. The layoffs are another sign of U.S. manufacturers' ongoing struggles, which have persisted despite the Trump administration's pledge to revive the sector.

Why it matters

The job cuts at the Whirlpool plant in Amana, Iowa underscore the challenges in reviving American manufacturing, as the U.S. continues to shed manufacturing jobs despite the Trump administration's tariff policies aimed at boosting domestic production. The layoffs will have a devastating impact on the local economy, which is heavily dependent on manufacturing and agriculture.

The details

In April 2025, President Trump said that "jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country" due to his tariff policies, which sharply raised taxes on imports. However, employment data shows the U.S. shedding 83,000 manufacturing jobs during Mr. Trump's first year in office. Economists point to a range of factors for the job losses, including automation, lower wages overseas, and increased costs and economic uncertainty partially caused by the Trump administration's tariffs.

  • The layoffs at the Whirlpool plant in Amana, Iowa will take effect on March 9, 2026.
  • In April 2025, President Trump promised that "jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country" due to his tariff policies.

The players

Whirlpool

A publicly traded company and the biggest U.S. manufacturer of appliances, with a market worth of $3.9 billion. In 2025, Whirlpool reported net income of $318 million on sales of $15.5 billion.

International Association of Machinists (IAM)

The union that represents about 1,300 Whirlpool workers at the Amana, Iowa plant.

Brian Bryant

International president of the International Association of Machinists (IAM).

Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa.

Ashley Hinson

Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“This is a story that needs to be told to the American public. Everything's not rosy in this country, and every day, workers' jobs are still in jeopardy by corporations that favor profits over the workforce.”

— Brian Bryant, International president of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) (CBS News)

“These layoffs would hollow out a community and undermine the very domestic manufacturing base that American workers have spent decades building.”

— Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, Republican U.S. Representatives from Iowa (CBS News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.