By Doug Cunningham

UAW spokesman Paul Krell tells Workers Independent News that talks between the union, GM and Delphi are “constructive” and progress has been made. Krell would not say whether the UAW is actually close to a final deal that would resolve the Delphi bankruptcy situation for UAW members.

There’s speculation that a deal could come as early as today that would offer early retirement buyouts to as many as 70,000 workers. Delphi says if no deal is reached by March 31, it will move in bankruptcy court to void union contracts with the UAW and five other unions. The unions have warned that a strike is likely if their contracts are arbitrarily thrown out.

Dave Cole, Chair of the of the Center for Automotive Research, told Workers Independent News today that “the signs are in place for an important agreement relatively soon.” He says both labor and management realize that a cooperative agreement must be reached to avoid the “absolute catastrophe” of a labor-management confrontation over the Delphi bankruptcy.

Cole says there have been very few leaks from the ongoing talks between GM, Delphi and the UAW. He thinks GM is committed to working within the framework of the existing labor-management environment and will not seek to file bankruptcy itself as a way to smash the union. Cole says neither labor nor management can “kick a hole” in the bottom of their boat or they will both sink.