Tom Raithel, Evansville Courier & Press
Whirlpool Corp. confirmed Evansville employees' fears Tuesday, notifying them that the local plant expects to lay off about 500 workers on Dec. 4.
In a statement in its Advantage newsletter to employees, the company said the date and exact number to be laid off may vary slightly.
"We are planning to offer a Voluntary Layoff sign-up with details being communicated in mid-October," the company said in the news letter.
The company also said it would have a one-day shut down Friday of production of top-mounted refrigerators, the company's main item. But it said workers involved in 50-pound ice-maker production will work their normal schedules.
Employees in maintenance employees and support departments will be notified by supervisors of work schedules.
"We are continuing to monitor inventory levels required to support our customers and will keep you informed of any changes as they are known," the company said in the Advantage.
Whirlpool told employees in August it was planning to lay off 300 to 500 workers at its Evansville plant in November. Those plans altered somewhat last month when it appeared that the layoffs would not occur until December or January.
Today's announcement indicates that the layoffs are expected to take place on Dec. 4 and that the layoffs will be at the higher end of the range previously announced.
The company has said the layoffs are required to adjust production to market demands. Demand for the top-mounted refrigerator, the primary product made at the Evansville plant, is declining, company officials have said.
Whirlpool currently employs about 1,750 hourly workers and about 350 salaried employees. The plant had employed as many as 3,200 in May of 1996.