DETROIT (AP): United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said Saturday he thought the union had been close to a contract deal to end a strike against American Axle until the auto parts supplier offered a proposal that includes closing three plants.
Gettelfinger told WWJ-AM in Detroit that the latest proposal came as a surprise Friday. He said it included closing a facility in Cheektowaga, New York, in addition to two other plant closings that had previously been discussed. He called the proposal an "insult.''
