One of the biggest reasons these automakers need help is because they're not selling enough inventory. And that's exactly why the Chrysler plant will shut down on Monday, for one week. Workers have been through this before, but not to the extent of their company being on the brinks of collapse.

"That's my bread and butter out there."

25 years of working Chrysler's engine line, turned Maurice Stebner into one loyal retiree.

"If it weren't for the union I wouldn't be here I don't think."

He speaks highly of those days, drives the home brand and would even help the automaker by giving back some of the 800 dollars per month he gets from his pension.

"Help Chrysler get back on its feet again."

We met Stebner at Ned's Restaurant in Belvidere, a popular spot for other Chrysler employees and ones no longer working the line. So they stay up to date, all TV's are tuned to the Big Three bailout hearings in Washington.

"I'm worried, cause our economy is going down the tubes. That's only way to put it," says retired Chrysler worker James Borgen.

Borgen gave 31 years of his life to the automaker. Although he says mistakes were made...

"Just poor management, that's all it is, cause they didn't keep up with the times they're not keeping up with their vehicles and maybe selling a fourth of what we used to," he says.

He says it would be catastrophic if they weren't helped out.

"You end up laying off all the auto workers since they went belly up, there won't be much left, we can't all work at McDonalds."

Again the plant will close on Monday and reopen a week later so it can catch up on inventory. Chrysler officials tell me this want effect holiday pay, and just like every year the plant will halt operation Christmas Eve and re-open January 5th.