End of the Line: Maytag Plant 2 ceases production

One by one, or in small groups, the workers at Maytag Plant 2 slowly filtered out around noon Thursday, signaling at long last the end of the line for Maytag washer production in Newton. Some walked solemnly out, carrying coolers and other belongings. A few offered warm smiles. Others hugged loved ones and cried, while still others took the opportunity to vent their frustration. Many of the workers left behind their work boots and shoes — some tying them to the fence, others throwing them over the top. It was a final act of solidarity and defiance of an outcome that left many saddened and angry that a company, which seemed so successful a mere five years ago, was leaving Newton for good. When the approximately 550 remaining workers walked out, it signaled the final chapter. It was the inevitable ending set in motion when Whirlpool announced in May 2006 that they were ending Maytag’s presence in Newton, shuttering its doors for good “This company was profitable and now they’ve ruined people’s lives all for corporate greed and to line CEOs’ pockets,” said Dan Ingle, as he left the Maytag factory for the last time in his stocking feet. Ingle, who worked at Maytag for 12 years, made a promise as he took his final walk out of the factory doors. “I vow to never own anything made by Whirlpool Corporation,” Ingle said. Melinda Kirtley, who worked at Maytag for 21 years, took a moment to tie her work shoes to the fence near the west entrance before leaving Thursday afternoon. “It’s tough,” she said fighting back tears. “My father put his 30 years in here, and several uncles and cousins. My brother has 29.6 years in. Tough. It’s tough. I just want to move on, what else can I do?” Many people came out to support the Maytag workers on their last day. Patrece Cope of Newton stood in one of the employee parking lots waiting for her father, Tim Berger, to emerge from his job of 25-plus years for the last time. “He’s been there as long as I can remember,” she said, holding her 1-year-old daughter Liberty. “It’s sad. It’s scary. I don’t know what he’ll do. I’m sure he’ll find a job somewhere.” Ex-Maytager Tammi Ulrey of Newton said she came to support her friends and former coworkers on their last day. “When I had to walk across the strike line they were there for me,” said Ulrey, who took two days off from her job because of the plant closing. “I’ve been really depressed. It’s got to be so hard for them. They’ve all been there for so long.” ——— As Maytag workers were dropping their boots at the Plant 2 gate Thursday afternoon, United Auto Workers Local 997 President Ted Johnson hosted a press conference at the union hall, a show of support for those now without a job. Johnson said he asked himself many times how a profitable company like Maytag could end up closing. “How did it happen?” Johnson asked. “I called for an investigation and it fell on deaf ears. They took an American icon and ran it into the ground. We need political candidates and elected officials to stand up for American workers and renegotiate trade deals like NAFTA.” Other officials took their turns to speak to the union members gathered for the rally. Tom Larkin, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin’s representative read a letter from the senator, calling the closure a “heartbreaking loss to the Newton community.” “I worked as hard as I could to prevent Maytag closing, but in the end our efforts were unsuccessful.” But perhaps State Senator Dennis Black gave the most impassioned speech of the day. “This is a day I will never forget,” Black said. “I remember when Maytag had hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank and zero debt,” and added that people will always remember the work ethic of the Maytag worker. Johnson said that in light of Thursday’s plant closing, he was worried about the future of the American worker. “What is the future of our children and our nation when companies ship jobs away from even the profitable factories, reward the CEO with $22 million in bonuses, and have NAFTA and the WTO to help them do it?” Johnson asked. Mayor Chaz Allen later offered his own comments. “The community needs to be proud of the brand of Maytag and the fact that they are the ones who made Maytag dependable and quality products,” Allen said. “I think people outside of our community look at Maytag as just a brand, where as in our community Maytag is a family and it's the people who made Maytag what it is.” Likewise Governor Chet Culver issued a statement about the closing. "While change is often difficult, as Governor I will continue to work aggressively to promote everything Newton has to offer to potential employers, including an incredible workforce, an ideal location to meet transportation needs, and great schools. I believe if we continue to work hard at the state and local level, we can bring about a new generation of prosperity for Newton,” Culver said. “Finally, I want to once again express my gratitude to the hardworking men and women who built the Maytag Corporation. I personally commit to them we will work hard ourselves to bring them new opportunities, quality jobs and a fresh start.”