By Kenzie Love The term “solidarity” is often bandied about in co-operative circles, but what does it actually mean? Part of the answer lies in the sixth co-op principle: co-operation among co-operatives. When their interests align, traditional businesses might sometimes collaborate: a temporary joining of forces in pursuit of some shared goal. But co-operatives, as … Worker Co-ops and the Sixth Principle
By Kenzie Love February is Black History Month, and while the contributions of Black Canadians to the worker co-op movement are deserving of recognition all year round, they haven’t always been accorded this. Despite a rich history within the Black community (and other BIPOC communities), the history of co-operatives is often confined to a narrative … Black History Month a Chance to Recognize Overlooked Co-operative Tradition
By Kenzie Love When it comes to the first co-op principle, voluntary and open membership, the International Co-op Association’s Statement of Co-operative Identity is quite succinct: “Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.” This … Worker Co-ops and the First Co-op Principle
By Kenzie Love When it comes to the seven co-op principles, a case could be made that some of them aren’t unique to co-ops. Plenty of conventional businesses, for instance, claim to show concern for community, be open to employment for all, and engage in education and training. But the second co-op principle, democratic member … Democratic Member Control at the Foundation of Worker Co-ops
By Kenzie Love Among the obstacles the co-operative movement faces, education — or a lack thereof – is often cited as a key factor, with co-operators pointing to neglect of the model in many business schools’ curricula. As Simon Berge of the University of Winnipeg observes, “most business schools currently present the neoliberal capitalist model … Lack of Awareness a Barrier for Co-op Education on Campus
The third co-operative principle is Member Economic Participation. It states, “Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for … Principle Three and the Co-operative Values —Kenzie Love
By Kenzie Love As responses that arose in the 19th century to the excesses of industrial capitalism, unions and worker co-ops have much in common, with both seeking to improve the lives of working people and increase democracy in the workplace. Accordingly, there have been many instances of co-operation between the two in recent years, … Unionized Worker Co-ops Offer a Strong Alternative to Capitalism
Adopted in 1995, the seventh co-op principle, concern for community, may be the most recent addition to the list, but in some ways it is the foundation on which the other six principles are built. England’s Rochdale Pioneers, originators of the modern principles, may not have explicitly included concern for community in their list, but … Concern for Community Last But Far From Least Among Co-op Principles —By Kenzie Love
By Kenzie Love What is the Green New Deal? The Green New Deal is a comprehensive, multifaceted approach that seeks to address not just the climate crisis but the related injustices that spawned it. Originating in the US and the UK, the idea has spread around the world, and although the particulars of the … Worker Co-ops Can Play a Central Role in the Green New Deal
By Kenzie Love In 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers founded what would become the basis of the modern co-op movement in a small town in the north of England. In the almost 180 years since, the movement has spread and diversified, but remains united by the seven principles, adapted from those which the pioneers developed. That … Should Co-ops Adopt an Eighth Principle – on DEI?