There has been rumors flying around the American Axel and UAW were close to a deal, but what kind of deal? Will the workers at Axel get the shaft as bad as the workers of the Big 3 automakers? While workers say they know any deal will lead to sacrifices, many have been struggling to survive financially as the work stoppage moves through its third month. The UAW also has resolved two local contracts involving General Motors Corp.

At American Axle, talks have been picking up steam, and details are emerging about the framework of a potential deal, which could include buyouts of $140,000, buydowns of $90,000 and wages of $14 to $25.50 an hour.

There also is discussion about closing forging plants in Detroit and Tonawanda, N.Y.

On Thursday, 96% of the hourly workers represented by UAW Local 724 that work at GM supplier Alliance Interiors in Delta Township approved a 42-month contract. Those workers had been on strike since April 15.

In addition, UAW Local 1005 workers on Wednesday narrowly approved a contract when they voted 550 for and 537 against a contract a GM plant in Parma, Ohio, according to that local’s Web site.

Still pending are UAW talks at GM plants in Warren and Wyoming, Michigan, Mansfield, Ohio and Kansas City, Kan. where five-day strike notices have expired without strikes and a plant in Delta Township where workers have been on strike since April 17.

The workers at Axel have shown excellent resolve and I hope that they are not betrayed by their Union bosses.