DETROIT — With a deadline looming just before midnight Thursday, the United Auto Workers union and Detroit’s three automakers remain far apart in contract talks and the union is preparing to strike.

       But talks continued on Thursday with GM increasing its wage offer and Ford looking for a counteroffer from the union.

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       [ Update: UAW poised for midnight strike at plants in Wayne, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; and Wentzville, Missouri ]

       The UAW is demanding a 36% boost in pay over four years, and the automakers, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, have countered with offers that are roughly half of that increase.