ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Friday officially marks week six of the still-ongoing labor strike by United Auto Workers.
For United Auto Workers at General Motors like those in Wentzville, Missouri, this strike has already surpassed the one in 2019, which lasted 40 days.
"It's tiring no doubt," said UAW worker Matt, who was on strike in 2019. "But it's a lot more feasible than it was last time, when we were getting half the amount of strike pay."
Each worker on strike is getting paid $500 a week, and for some workers it is hitting the pocketbooks.
"Strike pay isn't the greatest," said Ely, one of the UAW picket captains. "We like to get back to work as soon as possible. The better the contract, the sooner we can get back, so that's what we're waiting out for."
Most UAW workers tell KMOX say they are doing okay financially, especially the workers who've been at the plant for three or four decades.
"For some people it's bad, for some people they're holding on," said Joe, a worker who has been at the factory for 40 years, "I'm doing ok."
Most workers KMOX talked to said they had enough money saved up to live comfortably while they continue on strike wages.
Some workers say they are being patient and are feeling General Motors are close to a deal with after Ford agreed to one with UAW.
"I feel that obviously it's going the way it's intended to go," said Andrea Mack, who has worked in a factory for 38.5 years. "I try not to think of what should, could happen and all that. It's just going the way it should be going."
According to CNBC, contract negotiations between the UAW and GM reconvened midday Friday after intense talks occurred Thursday night and into the morning, with a potential deal being based similar to the one made by Ford and UAW earlier this week.