'Dignity of work is at stake," Casey tells striking UAW members at Bucks County center

As the nationwide strike against automakers continued into its first full week, Bucks County workers found support on the picket line in Falls on Tuesday afternoon.

U.S. Sen. Robert Casey stood in the pouring rain to meet with striking workers outside the General Motors Parts Distribution Center on Cabot Boulevard, saying, "The right of workers, the basic dignity of work is at stake."

Thousands of United Auto Workers members continue their strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis over wages and benefits.

Casey urges support for 'Pro Act'

Speaking without an umbrella, or even a jacket, Casey said over the past several decades there has been "a corporate knee-capping of unions. The rate of unionization, the number of Americans enrolled in unions is down and that has led to some of the divisions throughout our society."

Government officials can help resolve the situation, he said, by supporting the Pro Act, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which has passed in the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate. He said unions are important in not only protecting their members' rights but in helping to support increases in the minimum wage and the Affordable Care Act to help those who do not have the benefits won by unions.

He said politicians on both sides of the aisles should be asked if they support the Pro Act. But Casey aimed his remarks at Republicans whom are trying to curry favor with workers. Many of these, he said, "don't do a damn thing for workers and never, ever expressed support for the Pro Act."

And he had a message for the Republicans in the House who are holding up a resolution to resolve the budget impasse that could lead to a government shutdown.

More: GM workers in Fairless Hills join nationwide UAW strike

"Act like adults," he said. "Fund the government, then have your debates."

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick also supports strikers

Asked to comment on Casey's remarks, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1 of Middletown, who was one of a few House Republicans to support the Pro Act, said he's hoping the stalemate in in the House ends so he can meet with the local UAW members.

"I support them 100%," he said by text. "They know I have their back as I did during their last strike.".

"I hope that an agreement based on reasonable compromise can be reached for the sake of the workers, the auto industry and the country," he added.

Wence Valentin III, a UAW Region 9 representative, said that the last strike four years ago at the distribution center lasted 40 days. He's hoping this one can be resolved sooner. He said the workers received a total of 6% wage increases during their previous contract while inflation went up 18% and profits for the automakers rose 40%.

The UAW members are prepared for a long strike. "I got money saved up," said Adam Shirey of Levittown, the father of three children.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Striking GM workers welcome Sen. Casey to join in protest in Falls