Round-the-clock negotiations to settle the devastating strikes against General Motors Corp. raised hopes Sunday that a settlement in the seven-week dispute was near.
After a week of minimal talks, negotiations shifted into high gear with the surprise announcement Saturday that the automaker had agreed to return disputed stamping dies back to the Flint Metal Center on Sunday.Twelve tractor-trailer rigs loaded with the dies lined up and entered the stamping plant at mid-afternoon. The drivers honked their air horns as about 200 strikers and supporters filled an intersection to cheer their arrival.