Whirlpool layoff plan 'unspeakable' says Guidi - update 2

(ANSA) - Ancona, May 20 - Industry Minister Federica Guidi said Wednesday a Whirlpool plan to lay off 30% of its Italy workforce is "unspeakable". No progress has been made in spite of a month of government-brokered talks between labor and management, the minister said. Whirlpool is seeking to increase redundancies from 1,350 to 2,060 in what Marche Governor Gian Mario Spacca called "an unacceptable, cold and preposterous" plan. Unions warned the international household appliance manufacturer takeover of Italian home-appliance maker Indesit last July would lead to massive layoffs.
    The deal signed at the time of the takeover by UILM, FIM and UGL unions as well as Italian local and central governments was aimed at avoiding 1,425 layoffs at Indesit and ensuring 83 million euros' worth of investments.
    Whirlpool said last month that it plans to invest 500 million euros in Italian operations over four years. But UILM warned Wednesday Whirlpool plans to lay off 2,060 of its 6,700 Italy workforce. The bulk of the job losses are set to come on the factory floor, with several hundred administrative and R&D positions also being cut.
    Unionized workers earlier this month blocked a major highway between Rome and Naples to protest the proposed job cuts.