GM, Union Far Apart in Contract Talks, UAW Lead Negotiator Says

General Motors Co. and its unionized workforce remain far apart in their talks over a new contract, according to the union’s top negotiator, making it less likely a strike called yesterday will end within two days like a previous work stoppage did in 2007.

“We have many unresolved issues,” Terry Dittes, vice president of the United Auto Workers, said in an interview. “It’s not just a couple of things. How long will this take? I can’t say.”

Standing at a picket line on Sept. 16 outside GM’s sedan plant in Detroit-Hamtramck, Dittes said the two sides have only settled 2% ...