The United Auto Workers’ contract with General Motors Corporation was extended on an hourly basis as negotiations continued into early today and workers across the United States anxiously awaited news from the bargaining table.
Talks continued on an hour-by-hour basis after the midnight deadline passed. Workers gathered at union halls to pass the time. Some prepared strike signs, while others watched late-night television or just chatted.
“I’m waiting patiently. We’re in it for the long haul,” said Douglas Rademacher, President of UAW Local 602 near Lansing. “We’re planning for the worst, hoping for the best.
We support the international union 100 per cent.”
As the night wore on, some workers went home to rest.
Jim Graham, President of Local 1112 in Lordstown, Ohio, told union members to go home and return in the morning for a progress report. He made the decision to send them home after speaking with union negotiators.
“From what they’re telling us, they’re making good progress. If this thing falls through the floor, we’re going to be right back here (in the morning).”
Union officials had expected a call from UAW leadership around 0730 IST today telling them whether they should strike or stay on the job. But that call did not come, and just after the midnight deadline, local union leaders were told to hang in there as bargaining continued.
GM spokeswoman Katie McBride said the talks had continued past 1130 IST.