Sherry Linkon, contributing writer for Working Class Perspectives, spoke with America’s Work Force on Feb. 28 to discuss one of her articles published on the Working Class Perspectives website. 

Linkon discussed her latest article, titled “The Class Culture War.” In her article, Linkon wrote about New York Times columnist, David Brooks, and his misunderstanding of how working class people view capitalism. She said that Brooks stated that Bernie Sanders was wrong to blame capitalism for economic inequality, and that capitalism actually benefits everybody. Linkon went on to say that Brooks did not explain how closely class and culture work together. She noted that certain economic policies are faced with resentment by the working class because they benefit the rich and leave the poor to struggle. Lastly, she talked about improving the quality of economic policies and how it can change the quality of life for people in the working class.

Maria Somma, organizing director for the United Steelworkers spoke about new tools and methods for organizing. She said that workers can only be pushed so far until they start fighting back for fair and appropriate working conditions, wages and hours. Somma said that there is a new climate for organizing in America and it starts with workers realizing that they have power in numbers and are able to fight for fair contracts. She also talked about the important roles that unions, big or small, play in companies.

AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about increasing the federal minimum wage and the NFLPA’s terms in their new collective bargaining agreement.

To listen to this show, click the play button below.

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