Success of the Co-op Movement

In a world where financial crises seem commonplace, a modern corrective, the employee-owned cooperative, is flourishing. Called "an innovative approach to development and economic democracy," the worker cooperative movement is the focus of a bishop's article in the Catholic Times that addresses the current economic problems in the world.

The co-op movement, he said, is the natural product of humanity trying to solve the recurring economic problems all societies have had to face throughout history. Whether it was our tribal ancestors cooperating with other members of the tribe to protect themselves from wild animals, or helping one another to plant rice fields, or  joining together to take care of their water reservoirs, rivers and forests--all are examples, the bishop said, of members of  society working harmoniously together for a common goal, furthering the good of all and their growth both as individuals and as active participants in their society. 

Considering these valuable goals, the bishop sees the growth of the co-op movement as an opportunity for more people to show love for one another and to enjoy a more fulfilling life. The movement, he says, encompasses and puts into practice the teachings of Jesus.

Italy has shown a great interest in the co-op movement, and its Emilia Romagna province leads the world in the number of co-ops and successes. Like other developed countries, it has been struggling with the current worldwide financial crisis. Last year, the unemployment rate in the country was more than 11 percent, and among the 20 to 30-year-olds, 36.5 percent.

However, the bishop says that the mecca  of the cooperative moment, Emilia Romagna, surprisingly, was very much at peace. The support of the cooperative network has cushioned the tremendous shock from the outside, depressed economies. With the strongest cooperative economy in the EU (European Union), the worker cooperatives of Emilia Romagna, representing 30 percent of the area's GDP (gross domestic product) and involving 57 percent of the population, has one of the highest living standards in the EU and one of the lowest rates of unemployment at 3 percent.

The economic needs of the different co-ops are handled by the Lega Co-op. Each co-op gives 3 percent of their profits to Lega, which uses the money to develop the movement, help the struggling co-ops by reducing the salary of workers, instead of firing them, and by transferring workers, when necessary, to other co-ops. It makes for a nurturing work environment. The bishop sums up his observations by calling the worker cooperative movement a powerful influence for developing peace, trust and sharing, a manifestation of love in the workplace.