FILE PHOTO - United Auto Workers (UAW) union Vice-President Terry Dittes addresses delegates during the 'Special Convention on Collective Bargaining' in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

(Reuters) - The United Auto Workers said late on Saturday that it will not extend its contract with General Motors Co GM.N that was set to expire in hours, but would continue to work pending a meeting of senior union officials.

The union will continue to work “until a course of action is decided by the UAW International Executive Board and the UAW-GM National Council,” UAW Vice President Terry Dittes said in a statement.

GM said in a statement: “We are prepared to negotiate around the clock because there are thousands of GM families and their communities – and many thousands more at our dealerships and suppliers – counting on us for their livelihood.”