The United Auto Workers union offered a new contract proposal to General Motors Co. similar to the tentative agreement signed with Ford Motor Co., according to people familiar with the matter, in the latest bid to end a six-week-old strike.

UAW President Shawn Fain spoke face-to-face Thursday morning with GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra in a meeting that lasted several hours, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the non-public details. There is no tentative agreement yet, but the sides are close on many key issues, the people said.