American Axle strike could be prolonged

DETROIT, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A United Auto Workers strike against American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. in Detroit could be protracted, a union spokesman said Wednesday.

General Motors' Pontiac Truck and Bus plant, which makes Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups, was expected to shutdown at the end of the first shift Thursday afternoon, the Detroit Free Press said.

Some 3,600 workers left their jobs at five American Axle plants, at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Talks have broken off talks with the two sides "far apart," and the two parties may be settling in for a long strike, the Detroit News reported.

American Axel made a profit of $37 million last year and wants to cut its wage and benefits package to a total of $20 to $30 per hour. They are currently paying $70 per hour, the News reported.

The UAW is demanding the company open its financial records, like General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. did during recent contract talks.

American Axle "provided the union with all the information they are entitled to receive," company spokeswoman Renee Rogers said. But the union disagreed. "We are waiting for the company to respond to our request," said Adrian King, president of the UAW Local 235.

"We are very far apart," he said.

Analysts say General Motors has an up to 4-month backlog of unsold trucks that use American Axel parts.