co-operatives
Articles relating to workers' co-ops, housing co-ops and consumer co-ops.
Co-operatives: all in this together?
An interesting article from The Economist discussing the merits of workers' co-operatives as a means to avoid class conflict in a time of recession.
These are difficult times for the Fagor appliance factory in Mondragón, in northern Spain. Sales have seized up, as at many other white-goods companies. Workers had four weeks’ pay docked at Christmas. Some have been laid off. Now salaries are about to be cut by 8%. Time for Spain’s mighty unions to call a strike? Not at Fagor—for here the decisions are taken by the workers themselves.
Bailouts, co-operatives or class struggle - a debate
A debate between Iain McKaye and the libcom group about an adequate workers' response to the credit crunch - should we advocate nationalisation, co-op's, or struggle?
The initial two articles were published simultaneously in Freedom newspaper, the latter responses were published online.
Co-operative housekeeping - Sylvia Pankhurst
Sylvia Pankhurst describes her experience of daily life in a co-operative home.
I haven't described our Co-operative home to you. It is built round a square garden and there is another garden round it. There is also a garden on the roof. The dining- room and kitchen are on the top floor. The school nursery, crèche, and children's garden is at the end of the block of buildings.
Japan’s worker co-operative movement into the 21st century
The pace of Japan’s economy is picking up again after more than a decade of stasis. During this long period of economic stagnation, the many personnel practices favoring employees known by the rubric “lifetime employment” have been subjected to increased criticism by pro-investor, neo-liberal voices.
Zanon factory occupation - interview with workers
An excellent set of interviews conducted with workers at the worker-run Zanon ceramics factory, occupied at the time of the Argentine uprising of 2001. It includes historical and background information.
This was published by Wildcat in December 2003 but has only now been translated into English (for prol-position news #6, July 2006), and a short introduction added. Although it is a bit old, it still contains unique insights into the situation, hopes, difficulties and dynamics of the occupation process and many personal interviews.
Setting up housing co-operatives guide
Some tips on how to set up a housing co-operative. Co-ops can be an affordable way of housing yourself if you can't afford to buy, and you don't want to be beholden to or exploited by a landlord.
Many housing co-ops are state funded; the Housing Corporation puts up much of the funding, and therefore can, on the whole, call the tune. However; it is possible to set up a housing co-op which is totally independent.
1900-1990: The co-operative movement in Quebec - Larry Gambone
Larry Gambone's rather over-enthusiastic analysis and history of the huge co-operative movement in Quebec, Canada, which embraced the majority of the population
Bees United - supporters take over
Bees United, the Brentford Supporters Trust, took over struggling Brentford Football Club in a buy-out on Friday.
Set up four years ago, it is one of 120 similar organisations attempting to bring football clubs under the control of fans. The trust is now the majority shareholder in Brentford FC and will make most decisions about the day-to-day running of the club.
Exposing John Prescott's housing policies
The office Of The Deputy Prime Minister (ODMP) laid down the Decent Homes Standards to improve social housing by 2010, therefore directly benefiting communities. The flip side to this is the destruction of communities in Co-op run social housing.
Councils are repossessing all their properties, effectively making Co-op tenants homeless. Traditional social housing stock is disappearing, Co-ops are facing critical times.
Manchester United fans fight back
A press release by the Manchester Education Committee group of Man Utd supporters who disrupted a reserve team game.
PRESS RELEASE - Operation Havana, 07-10-2004
