LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A spokesman for Gov. Rick Snyder says road contractors and labor leaders have agreed to meet with him next week to try to end a contract dispute that has suspended projects across Michigan.

The development Friday came a day after Snyder said he might call up the National Guard to operate heavy equipment. Union workers were locked out Sept. 4 after working without a contract for weeks. The union says it wants to negotiate with individual contractors, not the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association.

Snyder spokesman Ari Adler says it’s critical that certain road projects be completed before winter. Those projects include Interstate 696 in suburban Detroit.

Dan McKernan is a spokesman for Local 324 of the Operating Engineers. He says the union respects National Guard members but doesn’t believe they have expertise in highway construction.