DETROIT — The UAW launched a strike against American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. as 3,600 members prepared to hit the picket lines after failing to reach a new contract.

In a short statement, the UAW said the strike had begun at 12:01 ET on Tuesday. Talks broke off Monday with major issues unresolved, including demands for wage cuts.

American Axle CEO Richard E. Dauch in a statement said it is unfortunate that a market competitive labor agreement for AAM’s original U.S. locations could not be reached.

"All of the changes we have proposed have been accepted by the UAW in agreements with our competitors in the United States. I have no idea why AAM is being singled out for a different set of economic conditions. "We look forward to continued negotiations."

The walk out is not expected to have an immediate impact on General Motors, American Axle’s largest customer. GM is protected against a work shortage for 72 hours because American Axle quietly built a three-day stockpile of axles and parts, according to people familiar with the effort.

This is the third UAW strike against the company in four years.