AUTOMOTIVE

Tire Maker May Close Plant: Bridgestone-Firestone Inc. said it may be forced to close its only tire tube manufacturing plant in North America after a local union’s rejection of contract changes. About 20 workers at the plant in Russellville, Ark., have been notified they will be laid off next week, and the company said more layoffs are scheduled if the union doesn’t accept the contract proposals. The plant employs about 350. The proposal, rejected last week by Local 884 of the United Rubber Workers, includes a five-year agreement that workers not strike in exchange for job security. A local union leader said the company is using a union-busting tactic intended to set a precedent for contract changes at other company plants. The union’s contract with the company still has a year until it expires.