It's a lockout many thought would last only a week or two, but tonight the dispute between Grain Processiong Corporation and union workers has entered its 15th month. Now those workers say they want their jobs back.

More than 200 union members rallied across the street from the plant demanding that company leaders allow them to return to work while they try to reach a new contract. They say after over a year on the unemployment line, enough is enough.

"We'll see if time has changed anybody's feelings in this," says Local 86D President William Poggemiller.

So union members threw up a Hail Mary. More than 200 of them tried getting in the gates they used to drive through each day.

"We'd like to go back to work," Workers told security guards posted just outside the gates. "These guys want their jobs back."

But the protest didn't achieve its goal. Union members were promptly turned away at the gate by the guard, who was under strict orders to keep them out. Some in the crowd say they knew that was going to happen, they just wanted to make their demands known.

"Just to be heard one more time," says longtime GPC employee Greg Monroe. "It's a shame. This is everybody's livelihood around here."

It's a livelihood that has taken a severe turn for the worse for many in this crowd. Unemployment was just recently reinstated but that's not paying all the bills.

"It's rough financially when you're not getting a weekly paycheck. We're getting some donations in from other unions," Poggemiller says. "There's a lot of people here today and we want to see where the company stands."

According to the company, their stance is no different today than it was 15 months ago. They say their most recent contract offer is the last, best and final one they will make and some in the union are taking that to heart.

"I went and got a job over at Builder's World, a lumber yard in town," says former GPC employee Kirby Wagner.

Wagner is one of nearly 100 union members who have either retired or moved on with their careers since the lockout began. He and others say that's because there's no end in sight to this lockout.

Others are more optimistic because they say they have no other choice.

"I hope it does really soon for most of these people that are out here," Monroe says.  "Some can go on but for others, it's really hard. This town has been strapped as far as work."

TV6 asked the union president how much longer members plan on holding out for. He says the union is trying to stay strong and hold their ground until the company offers them what they deem to be a fair contract. However he says union members could change their minds in favor of returning to work.

No word yet on when GPC and the union will return to the bargaining table.