GM says 2 more plant shutdowns triggered by strike

DETROIT, March 5 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said it would be forced to idle two additional plants by early next week because of a strike against supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

As a result of the strike, six GM plants have now been idled and three face shutdown next week, according to an update provided by the automaker. In addition, GM will shorten working hours from next week at a Wisconsin assembly plant that builds its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs.

Over 19,000 factory workers in North America have been affected by production shutdowns or reduced work as a result of the strike against Detroit-based American Axle by the United Auto Workers union, GM said. (Editing by Carol Bishopric)