Maytag retirees rally at courthouse

The news that Whirlpool has filed a lawsuit to bring Maytag retirees’ health insurance in line with Whirlpool workers’ has the former Maytag folks very upset. So, when they found out that a representative of senators Chuck Grassley (R) and Tom Harkin (D) were planning “listening posts” in Newton, they sprang into action. Approximately 75 former Maytag employees gathered at the Jasper County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon in hopes of having their grievances heard by Senator Grassley’s representatives. Although Whirlpool has not released details of its plans, most of the retirees say the changes probably won’t be favorable. “I started at Plant 1 in 1947, and transferred to Plant 2 in 1949,” said William Mikesell, who came to the rally Wednesd