Detroit automakers and auto workers remain far from a deal as end-of-day strike deadline approaches

With a deadline looming just before midnight Thursday, the United Auto Workers union and Detroit's three automakers remain far apart in contract talks, and the union is preparing to strike.

With a deadline looming just before midnight Thursday, the United Auto Workers union and Detroit's three automakers remain far apart in contract talks, and the union is preparing to strike.

In an online address to union members Wednesday, union President Shawn Fain said General Motors, Ford and Stellantis have raised initial wage offers, but have rejected some of the union's other demands.

"We do not yet have offers on the table that reflect the sacrifices and contributions our members have made to these companies," he said. "To win we're likely going to have to take action. We are preparing to strike these companies in a way they've never seen before."

The union is threatening to strike any company that hasn't reached a agreement by 11:59 p.m. Thursday. But the strikes would be targeted to a small number of factories per company. It would be the first time in the union's 80-plus-year history that it struck all three companies at once.

Talks were ongoing, but were nowhere close to agreement. Ford's CEO and Stellantis accused the union of failing to respond to offers.

"It's hard to negotiate a contract when there's no one to negotiate with," Ford chief Jim Farley said Wednesday night, wondering out loud whether Fain was too busy planning strikes or events aimed at getting publicity.

Farley said if the union strikes his company, it's not Ford's fault because it has made four offers and hasn't gotten a "genuine counteroffer."