Efforts continue to end strike by GM supplier

GM is pressuring its supplier to settle the strike, a worker says.

DETROIT (AP) — The CEO of American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. planned to meet Monday with the president of the United Auto Workers in an effort to end a nearly 6-week-old strike that has forced General Motors Corp. to cut production across the nation.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and American Axle CEO Richard Dauch planned to talk during the day, but American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said she did not know the time or place of the meeting.

Messages were left seeking comment from a UAW spokesman.

No other talks have been scheduled in the contract dispute. About 3,600 workers at five American Axle plants in Michigan and New York went on strike Feb. 26 mainly over wage and benefit cuts that the company is seeking.

The strike has caused a parts shortage that has forced General Motors Corp. to close or curtail work at 29 factories, as well as a Hummer plant run by AM General LLC.

Worker Scott Reinke of New Baltimore is hoping the meeting between the two leaders will lead to a settlement that will end the strike, which hits the six-week mark on Tuesday.

“I just hope it’s not a dog-and-pony show, that they come with an equitable agreement,” Reinke said Monday.

He said he believes the high-level talks are a sign that GM is starting to pressure American Axle to settle the dispute, which until recently had affected only factories that make large sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks that aren’t selling well.

Last week the strike started to hit plants that make GM cars, which are selling better than trucks and SUVs due to high gasoline prices. The Detroit-Hamtramck facility that makes the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans was shut down.