tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post1629153310878914823..comments2022-11-20T13:49:40.224+00:00Comments on UK Worker Co-operatives: American Study Visit:John Athertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09335465474707227574noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-11071322051521780392010-09-02T14:52:38.096+01:002010-09-02T14:52:38.096+01:00I visited Arizmendi Bakery in 2007 with a social e...I visited Arizmendi Bakery in 2007 with a social enterprise delegation from Scotland and met with Tim Huet - I was very impressed with their approach to co-op development.Martin Meteyardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-59621691313859275602010-08-31T09:00:38.572+01:002010-08-31T09:00:38.572+01:00Yes I've heard of them, particularly like the ...Yes I've heard of them, particularly like the name (named after the founder of Mondragon).John Athertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09335465474707227574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-16015784697945498592010-08-30T06:21:20.475+01:002010-08-30T06:21:20.475+01:00I live in San Francisco and am doing some reseach ...I live in San Francisco and am doing some reseach into worker co-ops. <br /><br />You should check out Arizmendi Bakery. They are growing fast and gaining much praise and popularity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-4660990069201861362010-07-31T16:25:48.830+01:002010-07-31T16:25:48.830+01:00Why so many UK worker co-ops date from 1975-1985? ...Why so many UK worker co-ops date from 1975-1985? One reason is that people set up co-operatives from a position of strength and confidence. 1977, when for instance both Paperback and Calverts set up, was in the middle of a high point for workers in the UK, and a period when new and old social movements for equality and economic justice were demanding autonomous solutions. By contrast, the period 1985-2010 has seen an erosion of workers' strength and confidence in their ability to act autonomously.Sion Whellenshttp://www.calverts.coopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-64376488509268747912010-07-16T07:30:38.532+01:002010-07-16T07:30:38.532+01:00Hiya,
One of the Canadians from the tour. If you...Hiya,<br /><br />One of the Canadians from the tour. If you are interested in learning more about the Canadian experience with worker co-ops, I suggest checking out www.canadianworker.coop - they are an excellent resource for members of worker co-ops and for developers.<br /><br />Thanks again for being such a wonderful host, we were all delighted to learn from you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-31999285117647287402010-07-15T14:50:08.622+01:002010-07-15T14:50:08.622+01:00anyone else notice how 37% of worker co-ops are in...anyone else notice how 37% of worker co-ops are in the wholefood market (distribution and retail), yet they represent 60% of the 'top 10'?adrian ashtonhttp://www.adrianashton.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-9971708769007862012010-07-14T20:39:58.808+01:002010-07-14T20:39:58.808+01:00Yes, Martin, I think they are all at least 20 year...Yes, Martin, I think they are all at least 20 years old. One of the things we discussed was the motivation within worker co-operatives. <br /><br />An investor focused business is motivated by return and growth is a good way of maximising that.<br /><br />Whereas I'd guess worker owners have more wider motivations like: quality of life/work, pay/benefits, work environment, local community. They mentioned some US worker co-operatives want to stay a certain size, and I think the same could be said in the UK.John Athertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09335465474707227574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372264260202259467.post-20096339894210439322010-07-14T18:13:54.472+01:002010-07-14T18:13:54.472+01:00I am doing a short presentation on worker co-ops i...I am doing a short presentation on worker co-ops in Scotland for the same group tomorrow, and one of the most interesting (and disturbing) things is that almost all the economically significant worker co-ops were set up at least 20 years ago (three in 1989 alone: Equal Exchange, Highland Wholefoods,and The Graphics Company). From my knowledge of the co-ops in the stats above it looks as if the same is largely true of the UK overall. What happened?Martin Meteyardnoreply@blogger.com