Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will eliminate approximately 500 salaried and non-bargaining unit positions at its North American Tire manufacturing facilities by the end of next month.
"Each location is developing its own restructuring plan for how the reductions will be achieved," say Goodyear officials.
"When the plans are finalized within the next few weeks, local management will communicate the specific details to associates at their facilities."
Goodyear officials also say that "most" plants throughout North America will be affected.
"When we announced our turnaround plan at the end of last year, we said that difficult decisions would be required," says Jonathan Rich, president of Goodyear's North American Tire unit.
"This is one of those very difficult actions, but it is absolutely necessary to achieve our cost reduction objectives."
Earlier this year, Goodyear eliminated 700 salaried jobs, most of which were located at its global headquarters in Akron, Ohio.
Last week, a source from the United Steelworkers of America told mtdealer.com that Goodyear has decided to close its Huntsville, Ala., plant.
Goodyear and Steelworkers recently reached a tentative labor agreement after months of intense negotiations.
The proposed contract is being reviewed by union brass.
The most recent job cut announcement follows on the heels of several top management changes announced at Goodyear this morning and yesterday.
