The United Auto Workers' four-year contract with Ford, Chrysler and General Motors is set to expire at the end of the day today. While Ford and Chrysler have penned deals to extend the existing contract, UAW officials revealed that they have targeted GM for a possible strike. During contract talks, the UAW traditionally selects one target for a possible strike, works out a new contract with that company, and then uses that contract as a pattern for contracts with the other automakers.

According to Automotive News, the UAW is bargaining on behalf of about 190,000 active Detroit 3 employees. "We are continuing to meet with the corporation and expect to put in long hours between now and the deadline," UAW Vice President Cal Rapson said in an e-mail Thursday to union members. "There is still much to be done and difficult issues to tackle. We are fully focused on reaching a tentative agreement that meets the needs of our active and retired members," Rapson continued. The Big 3 currently want to reduce the $20 per hour labor cost gap between themselves and Japanese automakers in the U.S. The Detroit automakers are also pushing to shift their combined $95 billion in retiree health care liabilities into a UAW-managed trust.