WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Striking General Motors employees in Wentzville will vote on a new contract that could end their month-long strike.
Wednesday makes it 38 days. Thirty-eight days of walking, waving and picketing for progress.
"When you're fighting for your life, and you're fighting for your family's life, and you're fighting for the kids that haven't gotten jobs," said Deena Lockaby, who wais she has worked for GM for more than 30 years.
Wednesday was also the day these striking General Motors employees saw the contract that could finally put these signs to rest.
The deal by United Auto Workers and the automotive company would guarantee health care, raises, and the preservation of about 2,000 hourly jobs.
"The insurance was a big thing and that was good, but in my opinion, they still didn't hit a lot of our key issues. So we'll have to wait and see right now its pretty close," Lockaby said.
Deena Lockaby has worked for GM for more than 30 years.
She was hoping to see more in the contract about job security and better pay for new employees.
"We want our future generations to have a middle class we're fighting for a middle class," Lockaby said.
And she's not alone
Tuesday, the tentative agreement was rejected by the assembly plant in Tennessee.
But groups in Toledo and Michigan approved it.
She thinks the of length time spent on the line has something to do with that.
"I think it's very hard on them, there's no way they're barely making it paycheck to paycheck, how are they going to make it 5 to 6 weeks with no pay?" Lockaby said. "I mean I understand why some people are voting yes, I guess there's not a right or wrong answer."
5 On your SIde spoke with other members who agree with the terms but say they would like to take a closer look.
"Read the contract, read the whole thing and vote from your heart," she said.
If the union and GM agree to this deal, there are significant financial incentives on the table.
In exchange for tax breaks, GM has already committed $750 million to the Wentzville plant, and there will likely be additional investments to ensure work at the plant continues for the next several years.
