Cohen On ‘Ed Show’: War On Workers Is Fueling 99% Movement

Citing American Airlines, Verizon and other companies “looking to cut costs at all costs,” CWA President Larry Cohen was featured on MSNBC’s “The Ed Show” Dec. 2 as host Ed Schultz continued his reports about the war on America’s middle class.

Cohen said corporate greed and virulent attacks from the right are building a strong bond among all workers, whether they are unionized or not. “Unions are a big part of the 99 percent,” he said. “Those CEOs who are hoping they can isolate workers, isolate unions, are going to find there’s a movement for democracy and economic justice sweeping America.”

Larry on The Ed Show

CWA President Larry Cohen being interviewed on the Dec. 2 "Ed Show" on MSNBC. Click to watch.

Cohen’s appearance came one day after Schultz did a lengthy report on three labor situations — American Airlines’ bankruptcy and lockouts at Cooper Tires in Ohio and Crystal Sugar in Minnesota.

Schultz was blunt: “People at the top are getting paid millions, and the workers are getting screwed.”

“There is an industry probably in your hometown you can relate to,” he said. “It might not be sugar. It might not be tires. It might not be the airlines. But all over this country, corporations are making record profits and laying off workers, shipping jobs overseas and rejecting union contracts.

“The greed will only stop when the American people make it stop,” Schultz said. “That’s why the 99 percent movement is so very much alive.”

Click here for the full segment from Schultz’s Dec. 1 show. “The Ed Show” runs on MSNBC Monday through Friday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time.