DETROIT — Critical concession talks between General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers are being overshadowed by a public spat about the automaker’s plans to import vehicles from other countries while it closes 16 U.S. factories.
The fight, which began last week, continues with less than two weeks left before a June 1 deadline for GM and the union to reach a deal on concessions that are a critical part of the automaker’s government-ordered restructuring.
If GM can’t reach deals with the union, debt holders and other stakeholders by the deadline, the century-old Detroit automaker will be forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. GM has received $15.4 billion in government loans.
The union sent an e-mail to members Sunday night asking them to call or e-mail President Barack Obama to protest the imports and factory closures. The company has not identified which factories it will shutter.
