Nearly 50,000 United Auto Workers walked off the job and onto the picket line. It's happening at more than 30 plants around the country, including in Rochester.

The decision came after about 200 plant-level union leaders voted unanimously in favor of a walkout because contract negotiations with the automaker had broken down, according to the Associated Press. 

More than 800 hourly union workers went on strike at the GM plant on Lexington Avenue Monday. 

“We demand fair pay and benefits for the work we perform. We stand united against “race to the bottom” economics and corporate greed. We will win this fight by coming together in true solidarity to last one day longer, one day stronger," UAW Local 1097 President Dan Maloney said in a statement.

He says every day the production is shut down it impacts tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars.

In 2009, Maloney says union workers took a 40 percent pay cut and have been working their way back ever since. The last strike was in 2007 when the plant was at the former Delfi facility.

"The people you see picketing outside are responsible for manufacturing carburetors, manifolds, fuel injectors and other components for General Motors vehicles," Maloney added.

GM Executive Vice President Gerald Johnson released a video statement after an agreement wasn’t reached.

“We presented a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways and it is disappointing that the UAW leadership has chosen to strike at midnight tonight. We have negotiated in good faith and with a sense of urgency. Our goal remains to build a strong future for our employees and our business,” Johnson said.

Maloney said the offer was sent in the 11th hour, but it was too late by that point. He believes an agreement may have been reached if it were offered days ago.

Negotiations between United Auto Workers and General Motors are set to continue.