Maytag retirees receive letters on benefit plans

Maytag union retirees received a letter earlier this week from Whirlpool outlining the basics of Whirlpool’s plan to change their health care coverage. Whirlpool has filed a lawsuit in Des Moines federal court seeking to reduce health benefits for Maytag union retirees to the same level as Whirlpool retirees. The letter, dated Aug. 1 and signed by Amana Division Vice President Dan Smith, read in part: “The medical insurance plan in which you have been enrolled has been provided pursuant to the 2004 Insurance Agreement between Maytag Company and the UAW and its Local #997. According to its terms, the Insurance Agreement became effective as of July 5, 2004 and remained in effect until 12:01 a.m., July 31, 2008. Recently completed negotiati