Gm Contract Talks Enter New Phase

Round-the-clock talks between the striking Canadian Auto Workers union and General Motors of Canada Ltd. will begin late today in hopes of reaching a contract settlement by a noon Monday target.

Both sides said Thursday that they were optimistic a deal could be reached on the key issue of outsourcing, GM’s desire to farm out more parts work to less costly, independent suppliers. GM has three Ontario parts plants up for sale.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” CAW President Buzz Hargrove said from Toronto. “I’m going to the table driving for a settlement and we’ll see where that takes us.”

The talks will take place at a Toronto hotel after the CAW meets to vote on raising its dues to cover the expenses of the strike, which began Oct. 2.

“We’re really getting geared up for a full-court press Friday night, Saturday and Sunday,” said Stew Low, a spokesman for GM of Canada.