Workers at GM Fort Wayne, Indiana, Assembly on Strike

As the 11:00am strike deadline passed workers at General Motors, Fort Wayne Assembly walked off the production line and onto the picket line.

Many union members had hoped a agreement would be reached averting a strike that is going to be costly for both General Motors and the U.A.W.

Talks between General Motors and the union were set to expired Sept. 14th, but were extended with hopes an agreement would soon be met. General Motors and the U.A.W. are debating on issues of how to fund a trust for retiree health care, wages and job security.

General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly produces both the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado. About 3,000 workers are employed at the plant most of them are under U.A.W. local 2209.

Stresses are high for both union members and management of the plant. Union members and their families are now forced to figure out how to survive on the 'strike pay' that amounts to about $200.00/ a week for walking the picket line.

This is the first walkout at GM since 1998. The 1999 and 2003 national UAW negotiations concluded without a work stoppage at any of the three Detroit automakers.

GM stock was rising ahead of 11 a.m. strike deadline, up $1.08, or 3%, to $36.02, but the strike is expected to be very costly to the automaker.