General Motors to trim contract engineering staff

DETROIT: General Motors Corp. says it has notified several employment agencies that it intends to cut contract jobs as it continues to shrink its work force to match lower U.S. sales.

GM spokesman Dan Flores wouldn't say how many contract workers would be cut. He says the cuts began in March and will be made across GM's U.S. facilities.

The cuts come as part of GM's plan to reduce its U.S. white-collar costs by more than 20 percent. The company had about 32,000 salaried workers in the U.S. at the end of last year.

GM has been cutting vehicle production as its sales have slumped. It plans to close four pickup and SUV plants and says it is working on further cuts at stamping and powertrain factories.