GM, Auto Workers to Meet Today in Effort to End Parts Plant Strike

Representatives for the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. said they would meet again today to try to resolve a parts plant strike that has shut down production of the popular Saturn car.

Negotiators for both sides met for six hours Saturday. Afterward, Dave Kimmel, president of the union’s Local 1714, said some progress was made. He said neither side would discuss details of the negotiations.

The union represents workers at the Lordstown fabricating plant, where 2,400 workers are idled. They walked out Thursday, complaining about job security and health and safety issues. The key issue is GM’s attempt to close a tool-making shop and eliminate 240 jobs.

The plant provides parts for GM’s Saturn, which is made in Spring Hill, Tenn. GM stopped production there early Friday, idling 5,200 employees, when it ran out of parts made in Lordstown, 50 miles southeast of Cleveland.

Another 7,000 workers at a Lordstown assembly plant were idled when production of the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird stopped Friday.