Post 9z0i6mohLkWSXC2sVM by dajbelshaw@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by dajbelshaw@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #9z0i6mEtUrsmk9IHhI by zzz@eldritch.cafe
2020-07-26T13:04:10Z
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This is more for #cooperatives people. What's the relationship between the co-op and trade union movement? Are there intersections or are they more complimentary approaches to bringing democracy to the workplace?
(DIR) Post #9z0i6mMh1s7Z8KwVqy by dajbelshaw@mastodon.social
2020-07-26T15:59:42Z
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@zzz From my perspective, it's about power. So co-ops are about democratising the workplace through worker ownership, while trade unions are about collective action by aorkers against abuses of power by owners.I think an interesting question would be how many co-operative workers are members of trade unions?
(DIR) Post #9z0i6mVCWEvVYivJ7A by zzz@eldritch.cafe
2020-07-26T16:30:38Z
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@dajbelshaw Well I'm curious if you are part of a co-op, what do you gain in also being part of a trade union or unionising? Since I know that many co-ops also have their members in unions and I'm curious what are the motivations for doing so.
(DIR) Post #9z0i6mohLkWSXC2sVM by dajbelshaw@mastodon.social
2020-07-26T16:36:55Z
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@zzz Well in our (small) co-op, we're all directors so there doesn't seem much point in being part of a union.Of course, there are financial perks of being part of a union (discounts, access to legal services, etc.). There's also the tradition of being a union member for those on the political left.So that's why, although I don't need to be, I'm both a member of a co-op *and* a member of a union.
(DIR) Post #9z0i6n02fZb36NLwBc by strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz
2020-09-10T08:44:35Z
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Although it may seem unnecessary for co-op members to join a union, it does depend on the type of co-op. In a consumer-owned or multi-stakeholder co-op, there may be times when a worker faces the same sorts of challenges as in a capitalist-owned company. It can also depend how big it is. In a large worker-owned co-op, a worker may find themselves out of step with the majority, to the point where it's useful to have an outside advocate.#cooperatives #unions@dajbelshaw @zzz
(DIR) Post #9z0iKuYLNpwca98BdI by strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz
2020-09-10T08:47:16Z
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But the main benefit of co-op workers joining unions is to the union and the rest of its membership. Co-op members can bring in a huge amount of useful knowledge about democratic practices, conflict resolution, how to scale them up, and so on (and maybe learn a few things themselves too). The relationships created can also help workers move from capitalist-owned businesses into co-ops as they grow, or help them form new ones.@dajbelshaw @zzz
(DIR) Post #9z0iSQT97OfxayHcEC by strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz
2020-09-10T08:48:37Z
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Unions can also be good places for people from different co-ops in the same industry to meet, compare notes, and find opportunities for cooperation between coops.@dajbelshaw @zzz
(DIR) Post #9z0yKYIthh7KqOkzOi by zzz@eldritch.cafe
2020-09-10T11:46:23Z
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@strypey @dajbelshaw I can definitely see the need of a union in a consumer co-op or others that aren't purely a worker co-op.
(DIR) Post #9z0yd9nb2JlYLUzHpA by zzz@eldritch.cafe
2020-09-10T11:49:51Z
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@strypey @dajbelshaw Interesting. Are there not federations of co-ops that offer a similar role