Whirlpool Employees Told To Go Home Early - Cindy Carter

Hundreds of Whirlpool employees are caught off guard by the company's announcement that it will shut down the La Vergne plant two days earlier than expected. Whirlpool originally indicated it would lay-off all 500 employees by August 15th however, workers say they were told August 12th that the 13th would be their last day.

After ten years on the job, worker Shirley Mayberry says she's very upset with the way Whirlpool has handled things. "When I went to work for them, I was so proud but not anymore. I could not believe a company of that size could do its people the way they've done 'em... like they're just numbers."

Shirley says she needs every penny she can get and hope she'll get paid through the 15th. She says Whirlpool isn't offering severance pay, just extra weeks of unemployment and thats only, Shirley says, if she signs a waiver saying she won't sue the company.

Whirlpool representatives did not return Fox 17's calls asking them to address the lay-offs.

LaVergne Vice-Mayor, Jerry Gann says his town will take a financial hit from the closing. Even though Whirlpool isn't in La Vergne's city limits, he says many employees live and spend money there.

"With the disposable incomes, the incomes being lost that of course will affect us possibly with the sales tax revenues as people continue to tighten their belts."Whirlpool Employees Told To Go Home Early - Cindy Carter