DETROIT - Reuters is reporting that General Motors is urging the United Auto Workers union to start round-the-clock contract negotiations to end the 25-day strike.

A report posted on the Reuters website late Thursday says the news agency has seen a letter from GM Vice-President Scott Sandefur to the UAW calling for marathon talks.

News of the corporate plea comes after the Detroit News reported that GM CEO Mary Barra met with union officials Wednesday in an attempt to get talks moving and bring strikers back to work.

UAW Vice-President Terry Dittes told members this week that little progress has been made job security and convincing GM to build more vehicles in the United States instead of overseas.

Before negotiations even began, the UAW and GM confirmed that the future of the now-idled Lordstown Assembly Plant would be an issue during bargaining.

Many UAW members in the Valley have taken jobs at other GM plants around the country after GM stopped making the Chevy Cruze here earlier this year.