Whirlpool to add 250 production workers early next year at Amana

Whirlpool Corp. plans to add 250 production workers at its refrigerator plant in Middle Amana during the first three months of 2012 and recall all its laid off workers, effective Jan. 3.

"The increase in employment is related to additional demand for product being made at this plant as well as seasonal fluctuation," Whirlpool Corp. spokeswoman Kristine Vernier said. The plant also will add a third production shift during the quarter, she said.

Whirlpool laid off 50 summer workers and 300 regular workers in July 2011 due to lower production demands. The plant's union workers approved a new four-year contract in September allowing the company to hire workers in four labor grade classifications at a lower wage rate of $13 per hour beginning Sept. 25.

About 1,900 workers at the plant are covered by the contract with the Machinists Union.

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