Documentary #8: Worker Cooperatives Pt. 1 – Widening Spheres of Democracy

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Apr 24, 2018

Explore the rise of worker cooperatives and their power to bring democracy into the workplace and economy. Hear about the creation of a community hub in San Francisco that focuses on racial and economic justice. Compare the cooperative environment in the Basque Country to that of the United States. Learn about the challenges and growth of worker cooperatives, the importance of constructing an alternative narrative, and the need to shift away from a race to the bottom mindset.

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ANECDOTE

Rich City Rides Founding

Najari Smith, after quitting his corporate job, founded Rich City Rides, a worker cooperative bike shop.
He was inspired by a moment on Independence Day when he realized he wanted to work for something he believed in.

INSIGHT

High Cost of Living

Najari Smith's corporate job didn't cover San Francisco's high cost of living, leading him to move to Richmond.
There, he used his 401k savings to found Rich City Rides.

INSIGHT

Worker Cooperative Definition

Worker cooperatives are owned and managed by their employees, who vote on strategic decisions.
Unlike corporations, each member has one vote, promoting democratic principles.

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The 21st century has seen an explosion in Worker Cooperatives—particularly since capitalism's 2008 crisis. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, we'll explore how worker co-ops present a radically different kind of ownership and management structure—one that has the power to bring democracy into the workplace and into the economy as a whole. We'll take a deep dive into the cooperatively owned and run bike/skate shop Rich City Rides, exploring how they have created a community hub that puts racial & economic justice front and center. We'll also take a trip to the Basque Country of northern Spain to explore how their rich cooperative environment compares to that of the United States and the San Francisco Bay Area specifically.

Featuring: Richard Wolff - Economics professor emeritus at University of Massachusetts, Amherst,founder of Democracy at Work, and host of the weekly radio show Economic Update Gopal Dayaneni- Co-founder of Cooperation Richmond & Staff Member at Movement Generation Doria Robinson- Founder of Urban Tilth and Co-Founder of Cooperation Richmond Esteban Kelly - Executive Director of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives Gorka Espiau - Senior Fellow at the Agirre Lehendakaria Center at the University of the Basque Country Najari Smith - Worker/member of Rich City Rides bike & skate shop Roxanne Villaluz - Worker/member of a cooperative bakery & pizzeria Sofa Gradin - Political Organizer and Lecturer in Politics at King's College in London

Music: Jerry Folk ,Antwon, The Roots of Orchis

Many thanks to Phil Wrigglesworth for the cover art.

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