UPDATE 2-GM to reopen talks with UAW this week

Tue May 5, 2009 11:58pm BST
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* U.S. Treasury still reviewing GM business plan

* Healthcare, overseas plants key UAW topics

* GM shares gain 3 cents (Adds comments on bond exchange)

By John Crawley and Kim Dixon

WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp GM.N is set to resume negotiations with the United Auto Workers union this week and believes everything should be open for discussion, the company's chief executive said on Tuesday.

"I'm encouraged to reengage with the UAW at the bargaining table. I'm one of those people who believes that everything should be on the table" so long as it leads to GM's viability, Fritz Henderson told reporters after meeting with congressional officials.

GM, a recipient of $15 billion in federal bailout funds, is up against a government-imposed June 1 deadline to cut debt, reach union concessions and restructure its operations or face likely bankruptcy.

Henderson said if GM were to seek Chapter 11 protection, like its rival Chrysler LLC did last week, the matter would be handled as expeditiously as possible. Chrysler hopes to step out of bankruptcy within 60 days.

Although Henderson cited some similarities between restructuring efforts at Chrysler and his company, the two have different challenges.  Continued...

 
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