Goodyear to Fire 580 Workers

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it will lay off 580 workers at three plants as it grapples with a glut of tires created by the recent strikes that crippled General Motors Corp. assembly lines.

Some of the jobs might be restored eventually if tire sales improve, Goodyear spokesman Chuck Sinclair said Tuesday. Goodyear was one of many GM suppliers hurt by the auto workers’ strikes at two GM plants in Flint, Mich.

The GM walkouts, which lasted most of June and July, cut Goodyear sales by $25 million in the quarter ended June 30, Sinclair said. He said the company expects more bad news for July.

Most of the layoffs will be at a plant in Gadsden, Ala., where Goodyear is the largest employer. Goodyear shares fell $3.81 to close at $56.88 on the New York Stock Exchange.