Nation - business digest

NATION

American Axle, union resume contract talks

DETROIT — Workers and auto parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. went back to the bargaining table Friday, trying to end an 11-day strike that has affected factories in the U.S. and Canada. Company spokeswoman Renee Rogers said negotiators talked Thursday and were back at the table on Friday. She said she did not know what was discussed.

The bargaining came as General Motors Corp. said parts shortages from the strike would force it to shut down part or all of 19 assembly and components factories. On Friday, GM added eight components plants to the growing list and said the strike had affected more than 27,000 hourly workers in the two countries.

Boeing reassesses schedule for new 787

EVERETT, Wash. — Boeing is reassessing the schedule for the new 787, the company said Friday, an aircraft that some analysts believe will be further delayed. When the company announced in January that the 787 would be delayed, another review of the scheduled release of the widebody jet was begun, spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said.

Boeing’s goal is to power up the plane in early April and send it on its first flight by the end of June, Leach said.

Boeing’s 787 program has been hit by a series of delays caused largely by work that had to be done on the final assembly line after it was not handled at supplier factories as planned.

Associated Press