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Whirlpool Plant Set To Close Begins Layoffs

More than 450 jobs are being eliminated as Whirlpool ends a production shift at an Indiana factory that is being shut down in June and the work transferred to Mexico.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- More than 450 jobs are being eliminated as Whirlpool Corp. ends a production shift at an Evansville factory that is being shut down in June.

Union officials say Friday was the last day for 465 workers at the plant. Whirlpool announced last year that it would shut down the 1,100-worker refrigerator factory and move production to Mexico.

A few dozen union members held protest signs in the rain Thursday along U.S. 41 outside the plant. Worker Danny Rowe said he hoped their presence reminded others about the number of jobs leaving the country.

Some 1,500 people joined the AFL-CIO national president in an Evansville march last month protesting the factory-closing decision by Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool.

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