American Axle Contract Talks Resume

Contract talks resumed between Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. and the United Auto Workers union after bargainers took a rest break following about 36 hours of nonstop negotiations. The two sides are attempting to hammer out a new contract for 7,200 UAW members at five plants in Detroit, Three Rivers, Mich., and Buffalo, N.Y. A strike would force General Motors Corp. to suspend production at its 11 North American light truck assembly plants within days, and cause more supplier headaches for Ford Motor Co. “The mood is still good. Progress is being made,” said a source close to the talks. A union spokesman could not be reached for comment. UAW members have continued to report for work and the company’s normal weekend operations have gone on uninterrupted.