GM strike poised to end

General Motors autoworkers were poised to return to US factories following a lengthy strike once they hear results of the final union vote on Friday approving a new contract. Nearly 50,000 hourly workers walked off their jobs September 16, and a majority of UAW union members must support the contract in order to end the work stoppage.

Early signs point towards passage, based on the returns from local unions that have already voted. There are "still some big units" left to vote, "but it looks okay right now," UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said. An announcement of the final vote is expected after 2000 GMT. A GM spokesman said the company would await the official vote announcement before commenting. Once the GM situation is resolved, the UAW will turn its attention to negotiating labor contracts with Ford and Fiat Chrysler.