Les Leopold

Author and Labor Institute executive director Les Leopold discusses the impact of mass layoffs on U.S. workers, highlighting the influence on voting behaviors and political beliefs. The podcast delves into the need for structural change, financialization of universities, addressing inequality, and revitalizing the labor movement.

Les Leopold, a labor educator and author, reveals the harsh realities of corporate layoffs driven by Wall Street in a quest for profits. He discusses how stock buybacks and deregulation have shifted layoffs from signs of failure to strategic tools, alienating workers and exacerbating inequality. Leopold highlights the economic and social crises in areas like Mingo County, advocating for grassroots movements and innovative policies to restore worker rights. The conversation aims to empower the working class against corporate greed and inspire systemic change.