http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200804131747DOWJONESDJONLINE000343_FORTUNE5.htmApril 13, 2008: 05:47 PM EST
DETROIT -(Dow Jones)- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL), dealing with a seven-week-old strike at five of its U.S. plants, said it requested a federal mediator to help with negotiations, but that the United Auto Workers union refused to allow it.
American Axle said it was disappointed in the UAW's decision.
A UAW spokesman wasn't immediately available for comment.
About 3,650 American Axle workers represented by the UAW at five plants in Michigan and New York have been on strike since Feb. 26 in a dispute over wages and benefits.
The strike has forced customer General Motors Corp. (GM) to idle all or parts of 30 plants and has forced other suppliers to idle operations.
American Axle, in a statement Sunday, said it requested a federal mediator from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service "to assist in the company's ongoing negotiations with the UAW. AAM had hoped that the involvement of an impartial third party at the bargaining table could assist both sides."
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