The labor dispute between Wabtec, which is the new owner of GE Transportation, and United Electrical Workers Locals 506 and 618 in Erie played out on the national stage Saturday.

UE 506 president Scott Slawson was invited to speak at a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sanders met with UE leaders when he campaigned in Erie in 2016. He has been a vocal supporter of the union's fight to keep family sustaining jobs in Erie.

1,700 union employees went on strike Tuesday, saying they could not accept the terms that Wabtec is offering.

At issue is mandatory overtime and a lower tier wage for new hires and laid off workers who get called back.

Slawson shared that message in Brooklyn and thanked Sanders for the weight of his support.

"First, on behalf of both locals, I want to say thank you to Sen. Sanders for his unwavering support to our fight against Wabtec's attempts to destroy the living standards of Erie, Pennsylvania," said Slawson. "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Bernie and his strike against Wabtec. His support has given our fight national attention, as well as international attention."

Sanders returned the thanks.

"Let me thank Scott Slawson, who's standing up not just for the workers in Erie, Pennsylvania, against corporate greed but for every worker in America," said Sanders. "Scott, thank you very much."