Update, Thursday 7:50 a.m. - According to Allison Transmission, the company and the union have agreed to extend the contract expiration date. The present contract will now expire at noon on Wednesday, November 21.
Earlier - It's a waiting game for UAW 933 members. Their current deal with Allison Transmission expires at midnight Wednesday.
If a deal is not agreed to, union members are set to strike and picketers are ready to take to 10th Street in Speedway, in front of the facility.
Sixteen years on the line and Ricky Adkins has never gone through a strike.
"We are going to try and make the best of a bad situation," said Adkins.
Adkins and more than 1,000 of his fellow union members were bracing for midnight.
"It is somber at best," said Adkins. "Everybody is going to lose something in this situation. Management will lose by us not being there. We will lose by not being there either."
Adkins' union, UAW 933, and management from Allison Transmission have been at the bargaining table since early September. Both sides are fighting over what they think is fair. Adkins said insurance coverage and the cost were been sticking points.
"As we age, you have to look at what is going to happen to you as you stomp the concrete for another 15 years," said Adkins. "A lot of us need: shoulders, hips, knees and elbows. Repetitive work wears you out and this is a concept we will not give on."
Employees, like Adkins, wanting negotiation updates only received a recorded message from union headquarters.
"Contract negotiations are ongoing between UAW and Allison Transmission Incorporated at this time. The deadline is this evening at 11:59 p.m." the recording said.
Adkins has some seniority at the plant. He is what is called a "Legacy Employee." That seniority did not help him with speculating on a possible strike, though.
Reporter: "Gut feeling, midnight comes and what happens?"
Adkins: "I do not know, I really do not know. Sixteen years and I have never been in this spot. I do not know what happens."
It is a sign of the times, Adkins said he went through similar contract talks when he was working at a plant in Munice. He said it was informal and both sides came to an agreement over a cup of coffee.
