Michigan ? The president of the United Auto Workers says he is optimistic that the union can settle several contracts disputes at General Motors Corp. factories.

But Ron Gettelfinger wasn’t as hopeful Saturday when it came to an eight-week strike at parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.

Gettelfinger told reporters before speaking to a Detroit-area Democratic Party dinner that American Axle isn’t negotiating much.

About 3,600 workers at five American Axle plants have been on strike since Feb. 26.

The UAW also is on strike at a GM plant near Lansing that makes hot-selling crossover vehicles, and it has threatened to strike Tuesday at a plant in Kansas City, Kan., that builds the popular new Chevrolet Malibu sedan.