28 GM plants shut down due to strike at American Axle

Negotiations between the United Auto Workers and auto parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. have resumed. General Motors Corp. says parts shortages from the strike are forcing it to shut down part or all of 28 plants, affecting 37,000 hourly workers.

American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers says bargainers met Saturday and Sunday and plan to resume Monday.

About 3,600 UAW workers at five American Axle plants in Michigan and New York state have been on strike since February 26 after contract talks broke down over wages and other issues.

GM spun off American Axle in 1994 and accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the company's business.