Among the facilities affected by the strike are GM's Fairfax Assembly plant, which has approximately 2,700 employees. The plant, which ranks No. 13 on the Kansas City Business Journal's most recent listing of private-sector employers, produces the Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura.

The strike comes after the union and automaker were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract. In negotiations that began in late July, the company has sought concessions from the union in order to make it more competitive.

In a release announcing the strike deadline, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said he was "shocked and disappointed" that GM hasn't appreciated the contribution of union members during the past four years. He said the union has worked to find reasonable solutions when faced with a corporate restructuring, an attrition plan, the bankruptcy of the Delphi unit and a 2005 health care agreement.

In its release, the UAW pointed out that it agreed to remain at the bargaining table nine days past the expiration of the previous contract.

In a short statement on its Web site, General Motors said it was disappointed in the strike call. The company said it remains fully committed to working with the UAW to address competitive challenges facing the company.