Sharing Like We Mean It

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This report sets out to show that the co-operative model is a real alternative to competitive and individualized patterns of work. Building on Dave Boyle and Kate Oakley’s reflections on why co-operatives and creative industries are a good fit, this report is based on research we carried out in 2019 and 2020 on co-ops in creative industries in Canada, the UK, and the US. We designed and distributed an online survey completed by 106 co-ops and interviewed 12 members of worker co-ops.

Our research reveals a small but vibrant co-operative landscape in the cultural and tech sectors, from co-operatively run art galleries to co-op advertising agencies, web development companies, architecture firms, coworking spaces, ceramic studios, and film production rental services.

Our findings showcase the diversity of co-operative practice in the creative industries. Statistical data give an overview of the sector and co-op profiles illustrate what co-operative work can look like in practice. While this report will be of interest to established co-operators who want to learn more about how other co-ops operate, Sharing Like We Mean It is geared to cultural and tech workers who may be drawn to the co-operative idea but want to better understand its practicalities and potentials. But this report is not a how-to guide on starting a co-op. For anyone wanting to take concrete steps towards working co-operatively, we note some of many excellent resources available in the Co-op Support Systems section of this report.

Read the rest at Cultural Workers Organize

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World Versus Bank: The Return of the World Bank and the People's Resistance

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If one was to do some superficial digging on the World Bank, you may get the impression that the Bank is a pure "development" organization, working exclusively in the interest of the public to reduce poverty and inequality. Indeed, the Bank's tagline is, "A world without poverty." But dig just a little deeper and the contours of a deep and extreme ideology become apparent. The World Bank reveals itself not as an altruistic benefactor of the world's poor so much as a link in the chain between Wall Street and the global south - a link the primary purpose of which is to facilitate profit for elite interests, through a long established pattern of wealth extraction.

Read the full article at Truthout

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Publication date

October 8, 2014, 12:00 pm

Worker and Social Cooperatives Take On Undeclared Work Across Europe

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Undeclared work remains a challenge across Europe to ensure decent work, the social protection of workers, and the occupational health and safety of workers. Worker and social cooperatives across Europe have therefore developed successful models to fight undeclared work, and to uphold the rights of often vulnerable workers. With this public online event held on November 19th, CECOP “turned the lights on” the fight of worker and social cooperatives against undeclared work. The event was moderated by CECOP Secretary General, Diana Dovgan.

Presenting the report, author Dr. Francesca Martinelli highlighted that it is estimated that 16 % of the overall employment in Europe is affected by undeclared work, with adverse effects for workers and enterprises that follow the rules alike. Even though undeclared work affects more often vulnerable workers such as migrants and domestic workers, sub-contracting or self-employment can lead to higher forms of undeclared work.

Drawing on case studies of 11 cooperatives in Europe, the research showcases cooperatives that help migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers, but also self-employed and gig workers to access formal work. Migrant workers, in particular, irregularly staying ones, are often at risk of informal work, as they have limited access to job opportunities, lack the language skills of their countries of residence, and are often reliant on informal networks. Cooperatives such Diomcoop in Spain, or Nazareth in Italy emerged to help fighting undeclared work.

Read the rest at CECOP

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