Gm Strike Causes 3 Plants To Close

A strike at a General Motors Corp. transmission factory forced the shutdown of three GM auto assembly plants Thursday, less than two days into the walkout. Two Canadian plants were to be idled today.

Production was suspended at three Michigan plants because of the United Auto Workers strike by 2,800 employees at the GM Powertrain Group factory in Warren, Mich. All use transmissions built at Warren.

The automaker’s two car assembly plants in Oshawa, Ontario, were scheduled to be shut down today, barring a settlement. If that happens, as many as 17,800 workers will be idled, including the 2,800 on strike.

Negotiations resumed in Warren after an all-night session Wednesday.

GM labor spokesman Chuck Licari called the effort “encouraging,” but UAW spokesman Reg McGhee said, “We haven’t gotten there yet.”