Hawker Beechcraft machinists hit the picket line at 12:01 a.m. Monday, two days after rejecting the company's contract offer.

Tonight, they are using the evening commute to alert aviation workers about what they are calling an unfair contract.

They hope that by walking the picket lines they will force the company back to the bargaining table for a better offer. But there's no guarantee that will happen.

By midnight Monday, machinists union members had their gate assignments and were out in force setting up pickets.

A 90 percent contract rejection vote and an 89 percent strike vote has bolstered the machinists. They say solidarity will get the company to renegotiate.

"I think we're going to get what we want eventually if we all stick
together," said striking machinist Dave Cisco.

Hawker Beechcraft released a statement saying they are disappointed with the strike and that their offer is the best employees have seen in more than 20 years. The company also says all major issues brought to the negotiating table were addressed.

Some employees acknowledged that there were some increases, but said there were also takeaways.

"They give us four percent but they take it in the insurance premiums," said Ben Garcia.

Picketers hope the strike will leverage them a better deal. They also hope to discourage other employees from crossing their lines to go to work.

Occasionally, employees were turned away from going to work. Due to the long lines of cars, it was obvious that few made it to work on time.

A company official says Hawker Beechcraft is open for business with planes being built inside.

There are fewer on the picket lines now compared to early this morning. The company got a court injunction at 9:00 a.m. Monday, limiting the number of picketers per gate and limiting the amount of time each vehicle can be delayed.

So far, there's no word yet of any renewed contract talks.

The bargaining unit includes 4,700 workers in Wichita and 500 in Salina.