Union Co-ops

[Matthew Andrews]

Comrades,

At a later time I'd like to make a full report on the Eastern Conference
for Workplace Democracy that is taking place this weekend at Clark
University in Worcester Massachusetts. But for now I'd just like to
report on this afternoon's workshop "Organize! How Labor Unions Benefit
Democratic Workplaces" The panel was facilitated by Mary Hoyer (Union
Co-ops Council of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops). Also presenting
was Kristen Barker (Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative; 1worker:1vote),
Phil Amadon (Blue Green Alliance), and Kevin O'Brien (WorX Printing
Cooperative, EthiX Ventures Inc.).

Labor unions and worker co-op can develop relations of mutual aid that
expand working class solidarity and help working people develop the
skills of democratic management. Labor union worker co-op projects have
spread rapidly and widely around the country since United Steel Workers
developed their partnership with Mondragon in 2009.

The USFWC is looking to help coordinate workshops on this topic in local
areas around the country. This may be something we can latch onto.

Also, Mondragon has developed an "online university" that will soon be
offered in English, to teach workers cooperative skills.

Phil Amadon was particularly impressive. He referenced Arizmendi and
the fact that Mondragon began in Spain under a fascist regime at a time
when labor unions were illegal. The enormous co-op sector in Italy can
also be traced back to the resistance movement.

The Cincinnati Union Cooperative Iniative seeks to replicate the "co-op
of co-ops" model and is nurturing a handful of co-ops in different
industries.



In Solidarity,
~Matt