MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Minimum Wages

Interview

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CHULTZ: Yeah. Well, they`re not takers. They`re workers and they want to be treated fairly. This is a fact, there is one party out there for them and there`s one party that gives them no respect. Jennifer Epps-Addison, I appreciate your time. Great work in the middle of the country in Wisconsin.

For more, let me bring in Minnesota congressman, Keith Ellison.

Congressman, this is a movement. This is evolving into a movement.

KEITH ELLISON, MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN: Absolutely.

SCHULTZ: What happens going to happen here? What do you think?

ELLISON: Well, what I think is the workers are going to keep fighting until they get a fair wage and a voice on the job. They have a right to organize a union, and as everybody knows, unionized workers make more money than workers who are not in the union.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHULTZ: Can these corporations afford $15 an hour, Keith? Is this too much to ask?

ELLISON: Absolutely. Absolutely. If the CEO is making 1,000 times more than the workers, I think the CEO -- he can go down to 400 more times the worker, don`t you think?

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

ELLISON: Back in 1980, the average CEO made 42 times the average worker. I think we should have legislation in congress which limits the amount of money that a CEO can make above that of the average worker. Because the truth is if we don`t have some kind of legislation like that, you will see people who are reaping dramatic benefits, 1,000 times more than the average work and the worker on public assistance just to make it.

SCHULTZ: Well, let`s talk about that.

ELLISON: Absolutely.

SCHULTZ: The public assistance, does it bother republicans that there is an enormously profitable industry out there that has 52 percent of its workforce on government assistance? I mean, is there any number out there that would move the republicans to realize that they need to move on this issue?

ELLISON: Well, you know, I think there are some republicans who care and are concerned about it. Mitt Romney got up and said we should increase the minimum wage the other day.

SCHULTZ: Not when he was running for president. He did come around recently, but no, I didn`t hear that on the campaign trail.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHULTZ: All of these guys who aren`t running for office, all these guys not voting. You got Paul Linke (ph) not voting now, you got Santorum (ph). All are for the minimum wage now. But you know, when you put them on the floor, they`re not for it. They`re simply not for it.

ELLISON: They`re not for it. But I want to tell you, I do believe that the democratic party needs to do a little bit more than stand for increasing the minimum wage to 10.10 an hour which I support. I think we need to connect with workers, on the line with workers. We need to let them feel we really do believe that their prosperity is a top importance to us.

SCHULTZ: I think you know it`s so profound that you have Washington can`t get a 10.10 but these people are willing to walk off the job saying, no, it`s 15 bucks an hour. If Washington doesn`t get the message, I don`t know what message they`re ever gonna get on anything. I know you do great work. Congressman, good to have you with us tonight. I appreciate your time. Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota.

ELLISON: Thanks a lot, Ed.

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