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General Motors workers in Fort Wayne, Indiana, took part in a nationwide United Auto Workers (UAW) strike on September 16 by picketing outside the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant.

In two videos taken by Lucy Esparza, a GM employee, workers cheer and shout their support as cars drive by the picket line outside the plant. In the first video, taken from inside a car driving alongside the plant, workers hold placards and cars can be heard honking in support. In the second video, picketers cheer when cars traveling by honk their horns.

The strike, which began just after midnight on September 16, involved over 45,000 members of the UAW from 31 plants across the country. Despite the work stoppage, the union and the company resumed negotiations at 10 am Monday.

UAW said in a September 16 Facebook post that it “stood up for General Motors when they needed us most.”

“Now we are standing together in unity and solidarity for our Members, their families and the communities where we work and live,” it added. The dispute is over wages, benefits, and job security.

Ted Krumm, National Bargaining Committee Chair at UAW Local 652 said that it had been clear at the negotiating table. “We are standing up for what is right. We as local unions will sacrifice to stand up for what we deserve,” he added.

GM has called the strike “disappointing” and said it had made a fair offer.

More than 4,000 employees at the Fort Wayne plant were on strike, local media reported. Credit: Anonymous via Storyful