DETROIT (AP) -- Negotiators for General Motors Corp., Delphi Corp. and the United Auto Workers talked through the weekend about a complex attrition program that would reduce GM's hourly work force, but a GM spokesman would not say whether the sides were close to an agreement.þþThe talks focused on GM's already stated plan to reduce the number of hourly employees by 30,000 between now and 2008, which could open slots for Delphi workers to return to GM, spokesman Jerry Dubrowski said Monday. Other labor issues could be part of the discussions, he said.þþDubrowski said the talks were related to, but separate from, talks about Delphi's overall restructuring plan.þþ''If we can also include in that Delphi, help to create opportunities for Delphi employees to return to GM as part of the larger discussion on Delphi reorganization, that's advantageous as well,'' he said.þþDubrowski said the parties ''won't be announcing a comprehensive Delphi agreement soon.''þþA UAW spokesman had no comment on the talks, and a message was left Monday morning with a Delphi spokesman.þþGM spun off Troy-based Delphi, its former parts division, into a separate company in 1999. Delphi filed for bankruptcy protection Oct. 8, and it has been negotiating with the UAW about reducing labor costs. The company has said it will ask a bankruptcy judge to overturn union contracts if an agreement is not reached by March 31.þþIf the judge cancels Delphi's contracts, the UAW has said it will strike. Another Delphi union, the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America, already has voted to authorize a strike.þþThe UAW and GM have said previously that they are discussing a program that would provide Delphi employees with retirement incentives.þþ
Source: NY Times
