UAW: American Axle Proposal Includes Closing 3 Plants

DETROIT (AP) - United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ron Gettelfinger says he thought the union was 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 tells WWJ-AM in Detroit Saturday that the latest proposal came on Friday. He says it included closing a facility in Cheektowaga, N.Y., in addition to two other closures previously discussed.

Gettelfinger says: "I think it definitely made it worse."

American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. Spokeswoman Renee Rogers tells The Associated Press she couldn't comment on specifics of a proposal. But she says the union has turned down proposals that are better than those the UAW has given competitors.

The walkout began Feb. 26.