U.A.W. and G.M. Are Still at Odds

[billyoc]

DETROIT, Sept. 19 — The United Automobile Workers union and General Motors remained at odds on key issues this morning, even as the union acknowledged the need for talks to move more quickly toward a settlement.

Talks resumed at mid-morning, after being recessed early in the evening Tuesday, in the fourth session since the U.A.W.’s contract with G.M. expired at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.

On Monday night, the U.A.W.’s president, Ron Gettelfinger, and Cal Rapson, the union vice president in charge of the G.M. division, sent a memo to local union leaders thanking them for their patience over the slow pace of the national talks and telling them the union faced tough decisions.

“We have made progress in many areas of the discussions with G.M., but there are several major issues separating the parties that must be resolved,” the memo said. “However, we do not take your patience for granted and recognize that the negotiations process must accelerate in an expeditious manner or we will be forced to establish a firm deadline.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/business/19auto.html?adxnnl=1&ref=business&adxnnlx=1190243888-1NsQy6W4XDfyIZXI6NyT3g