UAW chief says progress lacking in Delphi talks

7/18/2006

DEARBORN, Mich. Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, said yesterday that the union has made little progress in recent talks with Delphi Corp. and that a strike was still possible.

A Delphi spokesman said the company, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, remains committed to the negotiating process.

But Mr. Gettelfinger said he had expected Delphi to ease its demands for wage and benefit cuts after the auto-parts supplier, the union, and General Motors Corp. worked out an extensive program of early retirements and buyouts.