Risidual



Studio, Library


Setting up a Workers’ Co-op

Seeds For Change, 2013
"Taking control of our own lives is the first step in the fight against the massive injustices and ecological devastation facing the world. Big companies and unaccountable governments may rule the planet right now, but it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Workers’ co­ops give us a chance to change a small but significant part of how things are. They’re one way to gain control over how we work, and the impact our work has on others and our environment. Workers’ co­ops are part of the co­operative family – democratic, member owned enterprises set up for the benefit of the members and the wider community. In a workers’ co­op only people who work for the organis- ation can be members: there are no bosses or shareholders, it’s the people doing the work that have the say. All members have an equal say in running the business, including pay and work conditions. 

Starting a workers’ co­op is exciting and rewarding but also full of challenges. It’s like setting up any other business, except you’re doing it collectively. Don’t underestimate the huge amounts of time, commitment and learning that working collectively and setting up a business can take! The steps below will hopefully give you a guide to what work you need to do to get your co­op up and running.”
Shelving
Alternative Learning,
Protest / Revolt,
Socialism / Communism / Capitalism