The national UAW says it will call as strike at 11:59 p.m. today if there is no agreement

Staff/wire report

DETROIT

The United Auto Workers union says its workers at General Motors plants will strike if it can’t agree on a new contract with the company by 11:59 p.m. today.

Both sides are still negotiating, however.

“Your UAW-GM bargaining team has served official notice to GM terminating the National Agreement and Salaried Master Agreement effective at 11:59 p.m. Sunday October 25,” the union said in a Facebook posting to its membership about 3 p.m. Saturday.

GM employs about 53,000 UAW members. The Lords- town GM plant employs about 4,500.

The union made a similar threat in recent discussions with Fiat Chrysler before agreeing to a new four-year contract.

GM said Saturday it is working with the UAW and remains committed to reaching “an agreement that is good for employees and the business.”

UAW President Dennis Williams said after the Fiat Chrysler deal that General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. make more money and should be able to pay more. That conflicts with company goals of cutting labor costs, bringing them closer to foreign automakers with U.S. factories.

LORDSTOWN COMMENTS

Job security, wages, entry-level employee pay and benefits, and health care are the main issues, said Robert Morales, president of UAW Local 1714, which represents about 1,400 employees at the GM Lordstown Complex’s fabricating plant. The full plant that produces the Chevrolet Cruze employs about 4,500 workers.

“We want to keep our jobs in the United States,” Morales said.

He said 97 percent of Local 1714’s members in August gave the national UAW authorization to call a strike. Morales said it has been 10 years since members have received an across-the-board raise in pay.

Ninety-six percent of the Lordstown UAW Local 1112 members, assembly plant workers, who voted also authorized the international union to strike if needed

“I would think if we are unable to come to an agreement, GM just wants to cut jobs and is asking for concessions,” Morales said.

The UAW has always stepped up to the plate, especially during GM’s bankruptcy, and the union deserves credit for that. Morales said he is hopeful something can be worked out that benefits the membership and the company.

Glenn Johnson, president of UAW Local 1112was unavailable for comment Saturday night.