LANSING, Mich. — If General Motors and the United Auto Workers ever settle their contract dispute, there are signs that Fiat Chrysler and Ford could reach deals with the union quickly.
UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada says in a letter to members Friday that some committees are close to finishing talks with Fiat Chrysler. But they're waiting for the GM deal that likely will set the pattern for the other companies on big economic issues.
On Thursday, a top union bargainer reported that talks with Ford were going well.
In a letter to union members Thursday, United Auto Workers Vice President Rory Gamble says 18 of 20 subcommittees have reached tentative agreements or are waiting for a pattern to be set with GM before settling large economic issues.
Gamble says he can't disclose details but says negotiations are progressing.
Earlier in the week the UAW's top negotiator with Ford reported similar progress.
A strike by about 49,000 workers that has shut production at GM is in its 19th day. Both sides are trading offers at the bargaining table.
Estrada says the goal is to settle all non-economic issues before the union focuses on bargaining with Fiat Chrysler.
The union picked GM as its target to start negotiations and thousands of workers went on strike back on Sept. 16.
A GM contract offer to striking union members has wage increases or lump-sum payments in all four years.
But a person briefed on the offer says it was rejected because it took money from other places to fund profit sharing and didn't give temporary workers a clear path to a full-time job.
Still, the offer made late Monday is likely to be the framework for whatever agreement is reached to end the strike by the workers that has halted production in the U.S. and severely cut output in Mexico and Canada.
A different person says much of what the union objected to has been removed or is being bargained.
Neither person wanted to be identified because the talks are confidential.
On Monday night, GM passed a proposal across the bargaining table in hopes of ending the strike with UAW workers.
However, the proposal that the company provided at 9:40 p.m. did not satisfy the GM striker's contract demands or needs, according to the UAW.
Many areas came up short on the proposal such as health care, wages, temporary employees, skilled trades, and job security.
Back on Oct. 1, UAW officials responded with a counter-proposal in the form of a letter and are awaiting GM's next move.
The Union stated that they appreciate the sacrifices of the workers, and that they remain committed to exploring all options in order to reach an agreement that meets the needs of the membership.
About 200 plant-level union leaders voted unanimously in favor of a walkout during a meeting Sunday morning in Detroit.
Union leaders said the sides were still far apart on several major issues.
"We stood up for General Motors when they needed us most," union Vice President Terry Dittes said in a statement, referring to union concessions that helped GM survive bankruptcy protection in 2009. "Now we are standing together in unity and solidarity for our members."
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