MILWAUKEE (CBS) — A massive tire recall in the United States is now being felt by automotive workers at Ford plants and their suppliers.

At at least four factories where they either make parts or assemble Ford Explorers hundreds of workers are being laid off indefinitely.

This comes in the wake of Bridgestone/Firestone's recall of six and a half million tires. The tires earmarked for those vehicles will now serve as replacements.

because of the urgent need for more tires, Bridgestone/Firestone i speeding up the process. It is boosting tire production in Japan by 650,000 tires.

The company is chartering a jumbo jet to bring those tires to the U.S. beginning Monday. That is in addition to the 2,000 Japanese-made tires Bridgestone has sent to the United States on scheduled flights.

Monday night, Ford CEO Jack Nasser went on national television to announce three other tire companies are increasing their output.

Executives from the automaker and the tire manufacturer are expected to testify at a Congressional hearing next week.

As for the autoworkers; they will be back at their jobs once there are enough replacements to fill the need.