Thursday, May 17, 2012
FORT SMITH — The ILPEA Industries plant in Fort Smith has announced its intention to close because of lost business from the Whirlpool Corp. plant in town that is to shutter later this year. But ILPEA says the facility may stay open if union workers accept cuts in compensation.
The company issued a statement Wednesday saying the planned closure of the Whirlpool refrigerator plant would reduce income to the point that the plant can’t stay open under its present labor contract.
The plant has 34 workers and does business with companies other than Whirlpool. The plant had more than 100 workers a few years ago.
The Southwest Times Record reports the United Steel Workers Local 496 says it has requested information from the company so it can make a proposal.
FERDIE KACZKA Jackabbott says...
Where are Boozeman, Pryor, Beebe and the rest of the incompetent and worthless Arkansas delegation? First they stood by and did nothing while Whirlpool was shutting down and moving to Mexico and China, now the rest of the story emerges with additional layoffs and illegals continue to flood the state and Medicad is becoming increasingly costly.
Someone needs to put a fight to keep our jobs not just asking for corporate handouts to fund their campaigns.
Posted 17 May 2012, 10:29 a.m. Suggest removal