News In Brief

Canadian GM strike begins ripple effect in US plants

General Motors Corporation officials say they can't predict how quickly layoffs sparked by a United Automobile Workers strike in Canada will spread, and the union's Canadian director says no progress is being made toward a contract.

The strike has already idled more than 15,200 GM workers in the United States , including 2,300 employees sent home Monday from the Willow Run assembly plant in Ypsilanti, Mich., where 1,900 others were laid off last week because of a parts shortage caused by the walkout.