UAW on strike at GM crossover plant in Michigan

By David Bailey and Nick Carey

DETROIT (Reuters) - A local unit of the United Auto Workers went on strike on Thursday at a General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plant that builds fast-selling crossover vehicles, adding to disruptions caused by the union's walkout at American Axle & Manufacturing, a major supplier to the automaker.

GM has already been forced to at least partly idle about 30 North American plants because of parts shortages due to the UAW's more than seven-week strike at American Axle (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Members of UAW Local 602 who work at GM's Lansing Delta Township plant near Lansing, Michigan, walked off the job just after 10 a.m. ET after the automaker and local union leaders failed to agree on work rules and other issues.

For months, GM and Local 602 leaders have been trying to reach an agreement on contract details for the plant to go along with the national agreement reached between the automaker and the UAW last September.

"We are disappointed that UAW Local 602 has taken strike action at the Lansing Delta Township plant," GM spokesman Dan Flores said. "We remain focused on reaching an agreement as soon as possible."

According to GM's website, some 3,300 hourly workers were employed at the plant at the end of April 2007.

The factory produces the popular Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover vehicles, which are built on a car platform to provide easier handling and better mileage than the larger SUVs.

Production at the plant had already been disrupted by a UAW strike on Wednesday by about 90 workers at local automotive parts supplier Alliance Interiors.