WENTZVILLE, Mo. — UAW Local 2250 members chopped up wood Wednesday afternoon.
Each piece was specifically cut to keep those on the picket line warm. The grill was also hot with every meal made to motivate members.
UAW Local 2250 Board trustee Scott Whitman said, "Each day we grill and we call them strike dogs. Just help boost morale even on a cold day, it's something warm to eat. We've had hail, we've had rain but we have members keep showing up every day to represent us on the picket line in this fight."
That's because the UAW is in it for the long haul, nearing week six of their strike.
They are at 41 days on Wednesday. In 2019, the UAW strike lasted 42 days.
The Missouri economy lost about $42.2 million a week from the GM strike alone, according to estimates by the Center for Automotive Research.
"We want a good contract, but we are all willing to wait for what's right," Whitman added.
From the beginning, union members at the GM Wentzville plant have pivoted from the assembly line to the picket line.
"I know everybody is wanting to get back to work but everybody is waiting for a good contract," Whitman said.
Whitman believes members gradually joining nationwide is encouraging, including more than 11,000 new striking members in Texas and Michigan this week.
On Tuesday, employees walked out of GM’s biggest money maker in Arlington.
"It's been a huge boost to our morale to have them join us in this historic strike," Whitman shared.
A strike that's starting to create a strain.
UMSL's professor of supply chain analytics Mitch Millstein predicted this six-week timeline of feeling the pinch.
"Supply chain has certain amount of weeks of inventory in it. It's about six weeks, so if you look at the total of supply chain now that inventory is really starting to dwindle," Millstein said.
He said within the last two weeks, the UAW has really gone for the big moneymakers like Ford's pickup trucks and Chrysler's Ram plant.
"It’s a rolling pain that we are going to feel. If it was all or nothing, then six weeks from that day, it would be Armageddon right now. They are just taking pieces at a time and making us feel it every week," Millstein said.
Millstein said a big conversation has been around electric vehicles, too.
"It’s under the surface underneath it all. You need less people to do it and they want to unionize those battery plants, battery is the key technology," he said.
Earlier this month, UAW President Shawn Fain announced General Motors would include electric vehicle battery production work in the UAW's national master agreement with the company.
As for members like Whitman, they can't predict what's next and the timeline of a potential deal.
But he said he is looking out for his future.
"I have young kids. The holidays are coming up, my kids understand we aren't doing anything extra right now. Hopefully one of these days we can celebrate and have a night out," Whitman said with a smile.
The union has committed to making weekly payments from its strike fund of $500 per week, plus some benefits, to all striking workers.
Whitman said it's worth the pay cut now.
"When I started, I was some of the first tier two, so I made less than the traditional worker so I’m trying to get back what they promised in the recession... that they would give us back the concession, so it’s worth the reduction in pay right now," Whitman added.
Here is GM's latest statement on Tuesday:
"We are disappointed by the escalation of this unnecessary and irresponsible strike. It is harming our team members who are sacrificing their livelihoods and having negative ripple effects on our dealers, suppliers and the communities that rely on us.
"Last week, we provided a comprehensive offer to the UAW that increased the already substantial and historic offers we have made by approximately 25% in total value.
"It is time for us to finish this process, get our team members back to work and get on with the business of making GM the company that will win and provide great jobs in the U.S. for our people for decades to come."