The cooperative movement was one of the first social movements of modern times, with roots at the beginning of the industrial revolution, and was an integral part of the early labour movement. The movement for worker cooperatives, workplace democracy, and social enterprises is resurgent around the world today.
The SSE is an overarching concept, combining substantive and statutory dimensions. It is defined by the values and principles it promotes, and by the range of organizations and enterprises that enshrine these values and principles in their missions and modes of operation. Placing their mission above the generation of profits for shareholders, these are mainly cooperatives, mutual societies, and non-profit organizations.
This article reviews and compares the literature from the U.S. and Italy about whether worker cooperatives foster economic inclusion of marginalized workers and whether worker cooperatives challenge or enhance structural inequality. The Author categorizes the various scholarship addressing these issues and analyses the resultant themes. Two questions warranting further research are proposed. First, how can Labor & Employment Law and Cooperative Law be designed or interpreted to work in tandem to provide dignified terms and conditions of employment?
After years of participating in an unjust economy, artists and culture bearers are searching for viable alternatives to the traditional models of cultural production. Cooperatives and the solidarity economy are gaining traction as a values-aligned solution. But what's the difference between a worker-owned cooperative and a purchasing cooperative? Is an ensemble a cooperative? Is talking about ownership inherently capitalist?
Solidfund members have agreed to pledge £30,000 from their cash reserve to buy loan stock in Stirchley Co-op Developments. Our financial services partner ICOF (Industrial Common Ownership Fund) agreed to match our members' commitment, making a total of £60,000. We hope and expect other organisations to contribute to this really important - perhaps once in a generation - effort to secure a new worker-led cooperative campus in Birmingham.
For Michael, Curtis, and Nicole, sharing decision-making power with a co-operative was an obvious fit. It reflects their values, their friendship, and allows them to share risk, capital, knowledge, and networks.
