Detroit carmakers and the United Auto Workers faced a challenging backdrop to contract talks even before prosecutors escalated a corruption probe of the union in recent days.
Uncertainties surrounding US trade policy and fuel
economy rules have clouded the industry's outlook for months, while residual anger over plant closures has deepened worker suspicions of management as the US economy shows signs of slowing.
On August 28, less than three weeks before the four-year UAW contract with General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) expires, the
FBI raided the home of UAW President Gary Jones.