DES MOINES, Iowa — The downturn in the agriculture manufacturing industry is leading to a reduction in workforce at Firestone in Des Moines.

On Tuesday, production employees at Firestone’s Des Moines Ag Tire Plant were notified about a voluntary separation option. USW Local 310 President Keenan Bell told WHO 13 the company is asking for 130 employees to voluntarily end their employment, with the last day of work being January 31st. In return, the workers would get a $35,000 severance payment.

A statement provided by Bridgestone, the parent company of Firestone, cited demand in the ag tire industry as the reason for the need to reduce its workforce.

“Bridgestone regularly evaluates all aspects of its business to ensure we remain competitive and that resources are allocated in a manner that best supports our business strategy. On January 6, we notified local United Steelworkers (USW) leadership at our Des Moines Ag Tire Plant that we will be implementing a voluntary separation option due to ongoing demand constraints in the agriculture tire sector. Bridgestone will continue to monitor current market conditions and future forecasts across all of our businesses to review production schedules and adjust as conditions warrant.”

Emily Weaver, Director, Communications – Manufacturing, Industrial Products, Natural Rubber, and Polymers for Bridgestone

Bell said the option is open to all employees, regardless of seniority, except those in the Maintenance and Powerhouse departments.

As of Tuesday, Bell said he’d heard of more than 80 employees who were interested in taking the voluntary separation option. He expects that number to go up. Bell said some union members interested in the deal had expressed a desire to use the severance money to go back to school.