From Detroit Free Press

DETROIT -- About 7,000 UAW members at 12 American Axle plants in Michigan, Ohio and New York went on strike early this morning. "We're on strike, and we'll resume negotiations today," a UAW spokesman said. Negotiations began in December, and a tentative agreement was expected. But shortly after the 4-year contract expired at midnight, talks broke off and the union went on strike.

Among the key bargaining issues were wages, health-care costs and job security, UAW sources have said.

Two American Axle plants in Detroit employ 3,500 UAW members.

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