Quick End To Gm Walkout Unlikely

The president of a striking union that has crippled three-quarters of GM’s North American assembly plants predicted Wednesday that the walkout would last into the weekend at the very least.

Informal talks Wednesday between General Motors Corp. and United Auto Workers Local 696 lasted about 90-minutes.

Some issues were discussed, but no substantial progress was made, said Jim Hagedon, a GM spokesman in Dayton. Hagedon said no new talks were scheduled.

Joe Hasenjager, president of Local 696, predicted the nine-day strike would continue at least a few more days.

The walkout by 2,700 workers at two brake plants began March 5 and has affected more than 87,000 workers nationwide. The world’s largest automaker has been forced to shut 21 of its 29 North American assembly plants and six parts plants. Three of nine parts plants idled Tuesday reopened, but additional workers were sent home at some of the 39 partially closed plants.