Trade union representatives said that the parties were far apart in the negotiations initiated in July, with disagreements regarding wages, health benefits, status of temporary workers and job security.

The 46,000 General Motors employees were called to strike in the United States, starting at midnight on Sunday, to influence current negotiations on a new collective agreement, said the powerful United Auto Workers (UAW).

“The union leaders from across the country met on Sunday morning (yesterday) after the expiration on Saturday night of the General Motors collective agreement in force since 2015 and decided to strike on Sunday at midnight,” the union said in a statement.

UAW officials said the parties were far apart in negotiations initiated in July, with disagreements regarding wages, health benefits, the status of temporary workers and job security. “This is our last resort,” said Terry Dittes, who heads the union’s negotiations with GM.

“We defend the fundamental rights of the working class of this country,” he added.

Source: Latercera