(Reuters) - The United Auto Workers said late on Saturday that it will not extend its contract with General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) that was set to expire in hours, but would continue to work pending a meeting of senior union officials.

The union will continue to work "until a course of action is decided by the UAW International Executive Board and the UAW-GM National Council," UAW Vice President Terry Dittes said in a statement.

GM said in a statement: "We are prepared to negotiate around the clock because there are thousands of GM families and their communities – and many thousands more at our dealerships and suppliers – counting on us for their livelihood."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler)