GM, UAW close to a deal at Lordstown, Fairfax plants

[Oracle of Delphi]

Jamie LaReau | Automotive News / May 2, 2007 - 4:04 pm /

DETROIT -- General Motors will resume construction to prepare for vehicles on its next-generation architectures at its Lordstown, Ohio, and Fairfax (Kansas City, Kan.) plants, sources confirm.

UAW leaders met today. While a local contract is not final, "things were moving along," say sources familiar with the talks.

"The issues are being worked out; I don't know if they've returned to the bargaining table, but that is something that is going to happen," says a source close to GM. The source says GM's plans for the next-generation small-car platform at the Lordstown plant and the mid-sized car architecture at Fairfax are "back on track."

GM last week put future work at the plants on hold after local negotiations with the UAW stalled. Sources say some of the sticking points were GM's request that the Lordstown workers work 10-hour shifts without overtime and outsourcing some nonunion jobs.

UAW officials could not be reached for comment.

A local Lordstown worker says, "I wouldn't think all the issues have been resolved yet, but I do think GM knows it has to build that car."

Edited: I didn't see this posted, if it was please delete.

Edited May 3, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S

[Z-06]

It was only a matter of time.