Union selects GM to lead labor talks

The United Auto Workers union has singled out General Motors Corp. as the lead company and the potential strike target in labor talks with Detroit's three automakers, a source familiar with the talks said.

The union typically negotiates an agreement with the lead company first, and that becomes the pattern for the other two automakers.

Separately, Ford Motor Co. said it extended its current contract with the UAW and would continue talks beyond the initial deadline today, when the contract was scheduled to expire.