New York (CNN Business) As striking workers picketed idled General Motors plants for a 10th day on Wednesday, negotiators for the company and the United Auto Workers union made progress in reaching a deal to end the nation's biggest strike in more than a decade, according to people familiar with the talks.

Importantly, some issues involving individual GM plants have been resolved or are close to resolution, the sources said.

That mostly leaves the so-called national issues, including those involving pay and benefits for GM's nearly 50,000 hourly workers. Those are typically the last to be settled before a tentative labor deal can be reached. The two sides have been talking about those national issues since formal negotiations started in July

A final agreement can come together quickly in a strike. Any tentative deal needs the approval of union members, though the strike could end before a vote.

"I don't want to get hopes up but there has been progress," said one person familiar with the talks.

Read More