Gm Losses Climb As Talks Continue

General Motors Corp. shut down another assembly plant Friday as negotiations on a new contract that could end two strikes appeared to hit a snag.

The United Auto Workers canceled today’s scheduled meeting to brief local union leaders on details of a new contract. The union said it would be rescheduled for Wednesday in Chicago - if a contract is reached by then.

“It appears at this point they’re not close enough to hold a meeting on Saturday,” said a union source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

GM is losing an estimated $5 million a day because of strikes at two major plants, and analysts say those losses could soon double as more factories are idled. A total of 16,609 GM workers were idle Friday because of the strikes.

Negotiators met for 32 hours straight Wednesday and Thursday before taking a break. Union and GM spokesmen declined to characterize the talks.

The UAW strike at GM’s metal stamping plant in Indianapolis led the company to close its light-truck plant at Shreveport, La., Friday, which followed the closure Thursday night of another truck plant in Moraine, Ohio.

Moraine produces Chevrolet Blazers, GMC Jimmy and Oldsmobile Bravada sport utility vehicles. Shreveport makes Chevy, GMC and Isuzu Hombre compact pickups.

GM spokesman Gerry Holmes said the Linden, N.J., truck plant would be closed after Friday night’s last shift.