Take that as a good sign. The strike by 3,600 American Axle workers will end soon, even if a tough ratification fight lies ahead.

Gettelfinger is being frank with his members so the tough terms of the deal ultimately seem more palatable.

The strike, which enters its 12th week today, will end soon because it must. The stakes are simply too high to allow it to fester longer. Too high for American Axle. Too high for its chief customer, General Motors Corp., which has ponied up $200 million to help close a deal. Too high for the workers. Too high for the union.

Say what?  It must end?  That is not something that is unacceptable……it should only end when the workers have a deal that they all can sign off on.