<p>Delphi Corp. has reached an agreement with its second-largest union and General Motors Corp. to offer buyouts to hourly workers that is similar to an earlier deal with the United Auto Workers union.</p><p>The auto parts supplier announced the agreement with the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America and GM, Delphi's former parent and its largest customer, late Friday.</p><p>Delphi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October. The buyouts are part of an effort to provide early-retirement incentives to Delphi workers as the Troy-based company seeks to cut its work force.</p><p>Delphi has a plant in Fitzgerald, in south-central Georgia.</p><p>"We continue to be focused on the transformation of Delphi and this attrition plan provides a stronger framework to position our successful emergence from Chapter 11," Delphi President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney O'Neal said in a statement. "This plan further enables an effective transformation of our U.S. manufacturing and support operations."</p><p>GM has agreed to provide financial support under the proposed plan, which is subject to bankruptcy court approval, Delphi said.</p><p>About 8,000 hourly workers represented by the IUE-CWA are eligible to participate. Some may be offered a lump sum payment of $35,000 to retire, Delphi said, while eligible employees may decide to accept buyout packages ranging from $40,000 to $140,000.</p><p>The plan also permits the transition of up to 3,200 Delphi workers represented by the IUE-CWA to GM for retirement purposes, Delphi said.</p><p>Earlier this month, Delphi announced a deal with the UAW and GM to offer buyouts to all hourly employees. Those buyouts greatly expand early-retirement incentives announced in March and meant that all UAW-represented employees will be offered something if they want to leave the company.</p><p>The UAW _ the largest of Delphi's six unions _ represents about 22,000 of Delphi's 31,000 workers. At the time, Delphi said it was negotiating with other unions to offer similar packages for their members.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x1cdc6c0)</p><p>HASH(0x1cdc768)</p><p>HASH(0x1cdc84c)</p>
