The United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes affect 38 locations across 20 states.
On Friday, the UAW in our area decided to walk out at 9 a.m. to join the nationwide strike for better wages and fair pay.
The union was on standby all week for the walkout.
They were on strike, but they were still working.
When the UAW president, Shawn Fain, called on them to join the protest and walk out of their jobs, there was no hesitation.
"When time came everybody stood solid and we all walked out at nine o'clock," said Celia Rosales, UAW Benefit Representative.Â
"It's very emotional," said Carina Rosales, UAW local 2162 Chairperson in Stead. "It's very high energy. We've got a lot of support from all the unions, the teamsters, the FL CIO, a lot of support coming in and still to come. This is just the beginning."
The workers are calling for an end of tier wages, to put everyone on an equal playing field.
Due to inflation, protesters also want a cost-of-living adjustment to their pay.
The UAW is providing strike benefits at $500 a week until the end of the protests.
The impacts of the workers on strike could be felt here shortly after.
"The impact that's going to be felt is we supply parts to the dealer," Carina Rosales said. "So, if dealers have a limited supply, they're not going to be able to repair cars or do maintenance on vehicles."
In 2008, General Motors in Stead was going bankrupt and went to the UAW for concessions, to lower their wages.
The union wants what they paid forward.
"They came to the UAW and said would you guys open the contract to help us get this company back and we said yes," Celia Rosales said. "Then every year after that they made record profits, we never got to open those concessions back and give us what we lost back then."
The UAW said they will protest as long as it takes to get their demands met.
"As long as it takes," Celia Rosales said. "We're really fighting for the middle class. We want better wages. We want what every American wants; good fair wage so you can go to work, be proud of what you do, feed your families."
The last strike the union went on was four years ago and it lasted about 40 days.
We'll keep you updated on how long this strike is going to be moving forward.
