BFGoodrich cutting production ‘for now’ at Allen County plant

FORT WAYNE – Union officials said BFGoodrich plans to temporarily cut production by nearly 40 percent at its Allen County tire plant, which could mean temporary layoffs for about 500 workers.

United Steelworkers Local 715 president Joe Gengo said plant managers and union officers were meeting to determine what jobs would be cut for up to eight weeks. The union represents about 1,300 workers at the plant.

Gengo said workers affected could get up to 80 percent of their pay from a fund financed by the union and the company.

Officials with BFGoodrich’s parent company, Michelin North America Inc., said vehicle owners aren’t buying replacement tires as often as they used to.

Gengo said the company could bring back workers before the eight-week period ends if business picks up.