GM to slash 600 more white-collar jobs: report

Bankrupt auto maker General Motors will be cutting 4,000 American white-collar jobs by October 1, 600 more than announced earlier, says a media report.

"General Motors Corp will cut 4,000 US white-collar jobs by October 1, 600 more than it earlier announced, as part of an accelerated plan to shrink its work force," The Wall Street Journal has reported.

The car maker is looking to slash over 6,000 salaried jobs this year. General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection on June 1.

Quoting General Motors' spokesman Tom Wilkinson, the daily said the cuts would be made through a combination of layoffs and job-buyout incentives.

"Some workers can opt either to quit and receive six months of pay and benefits, or retire early with full benefits," the report said. Employees received letters notifying them of their options on Tuesday, it added.

General Motors in February said it would eliminate 10,000 of its 73,000 salaried jobs around the world, with duties that include marketing, engineering and design.

"The auto maker also is cutting executive ranks by 34 per cent... When all is done, GM will have 23,500 salaried workers in the US, just over half what it had in 2000," the report said.