http://www.usworker.coop/node/427
This is an update on the progress between the United Steel Workers and Spain's Mondragon Cooperative Corporations to join forces to build cooperative industries in the US based on the Mondragon model. The venture is still in its infancy, but it could have enormous impact for workers in the US (and elsewhere).
The working classes around the world have nothing to look forward to in the current capitalist economy except continued economic insecurity and a falling standard of living. No change to that trend can be expected from the political system. The only way for workers to reverse that trend is to build economic democracy themselves and fundamentally alter the current corporate model...one industry at a time.
There are currently a number of successful worker owned businesses in the US, but a USW - Mondragon venture would give and enormous boost to the process. The United Nations has declared 2012 to be the 'International Year of Co-operatives'. Hopefully that will be the beginning of the transformation of world's economies into predominantly co-operative ones.
Originally posted by rwingettSo what is the premise exactly? Can you lay it out for us?
http://www.usworker.coop/node/427
This is an update on the progress between the United Steel Workers and Spain's Mondragon Cooperative Corporations to join forces to build cooperative industries in the US based on the Mondragon model. The venture is still in its infancy, but it could have enormous impact for workers in the US (and elsewhere).
The wor ...[text shortened]... e beginning of the transformation of world's economies into predominantly co-operative ones.
Originally posted by whodeyIt's about how worker owned businesses will be the agent for the transformation to a just society and how the USW - Mondragon venture could give that a big boost.
So what is the premise exactly? Can you lay it out for us?
That's the premise of this thread. The article is about the first tentative steps that have been taken so far in that direction.
Originally posted by rwingettJust imagine if the UAW had gotten together and bought Chrysler. Of course, then they might have had to work for a living.
It's about how worker owned businesses will be the agent for the transformation to a just society and how the USW - Mondragon venture could give that a big boost.
That's the premise of this thread. The article is about the first tentative steps that have been taken so far in that direction.
Originally posted by dryhumpWhen they were at their heyday, the UAW should have bought failing automotive companies and turned them into worker owned cooperatives. Studebaker, Packard, AMC, and the rest. That would have laid the foundation for eventual worker emancipation. But no, they continued to maintain that "capital and labor were brothers." We see where that has gotten them.
Just imagine if the UAW had gotten together and bought Chrysler. Of course, then they might have had to work for a living.
Originally posted by rwingettSo workers can exploit themselves? 😵
It's about how worker owned businesses will be the agent for the transformation to a just society and how the USW - Mondragon venture could give that a big boost.
That's the premise of this thread. The article is about the first tentative steps that have been taken so far in that direction.
So when will government get their claws into them by offering them corporate welfare?
Originally posted by rwingettThis isn't new. About two decades ago, a suburban Detroit Steel mill was bought by employees. It failed in a year or two as I recall.
http://www.usworker.coop/node/427
This is an update on the progress between the United Steel Workers and Spain's Mondragon Cooperative Corporations to join forces to build cooperative industries in the US based on the Mondragon model. The venture is still in its infancy, but it could have enormous impact for workers in the US (and elsewhere).
The wor ...[text shortened]... e beginning of the transformation of world's economies into predominantly co-operative ones.
Originally posted by normbenignBecause it had no network of support. The more these projects happen, the more they'll form a mutually supporting network. Eventually they'll become the norm instead of the exception.
This isn't new. About two decades ago, a suburban Detroit Steel mill was bought by employees. It failed in a year or two as I recall.
Originally posted by rwingettEven a worker owned business can't divorce labor and capital.
When they were at their heyday, the UAW should have bought failing automotive companies and turned them into worker owned cooperatives. Studebaker, Packard, AMC, and the rest. That would have laid the foundation for eventual worker emancipation. But no, they continued to maintain that "capital and labor were brothers." We see where that has gotten them.
Originally posted by rwingettIt is a about time that labor actually puts their money where their mouth is.
It merges them.
They will find out that the investors (even if it is company level) need to be compensated just like they do in regular businesses and that businesses have cycles. There will be layoffs and desires to keep costs including wages down (like in any other business). The only difference will be that owners normally care much more about their business than unionized workers so perhaps with more effort there can be better product and more profits.