WENTZVILLE, Mo. — The General Motors plant has been idle for 28 days now. The sounds of machinery replaced by drivers honking their horns in solidarity.
For 28 days, a chain has been wrapped around the gate. The parking lot is empty except for the occasional security guard sweep.
For 28 days, these workers have been on the property's perimeter with their signs, their flag and their message.
And for 28 days, the only shift change involves fresh faces driven to the picket line instead of staffing inside the building.
In the past four weeks, private businesses have stepped in to help the striking GM workers.
Alliance Credit Union is cashing strike paychecks for free at six St. Louis-area locations.
The K&M Market and Laundromat is letting UAW members like Tina Cramer come do their laundry for free.
"It's been hard on all our families, but there has been an outpouring of support from the community," Cramer said. "I think it's important that we know, we're not just striking for our wages. But we're striking for all of the middle class because what it will do is it will set the standard across the board for what people are paid and what their benefits are."
This week, however, there is a small change as the union said workers will now get $275 strike pay each week, up $25 from their previous checks. And members are allowed to look for part-time second jobs while the walkout continues.
It's a small bit of financial help as workers watch the days add up at the union hall where a paper sign will flip to read "Day 29" at 11 p.m. Sunday.
Negotiations are still underway in Detroit.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra stepped into contract talks this week, and the union presented a counterproposal on Friday.
It's unclear when stakeholders will hear if GM has accepted the terms.
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