This week, David Ellerman and Tej Gonza ask the question, "when is a co-op not really a co-op?" The answer they provide is sure to be controversial with many readers, but the argument they make is one worthy of consideration by cooperators.
Then, Mansib Rahman talks with Dru Oja Jay about Radish, a multi-stakeholder food delivery co-op that he helped found in Montreal. They discuss the realities of the food delivery business, the fundamental changes to the DoorDash business model that Radish has made, and the co-ops new endeavor to improve logistics for local restaurants and food producers.
When is a "Co-op" Not Really a Cooperative?
by David Ellerman & Tej Gonza
The short answer is whenever the actual activity of the “cooperative” is not carried out by the members but by employees. The problem is, of course, not in cooperation per se but in the hiring, employing, renting, or leasing of people to carry out the supposedly “cooperative” activities of the “cooperative.”
Local, Multi-Stakeholder, Cooperative Food Delivery with Radish
by Half Past Capitalism
Mansib Rahman, CEO of Montreal-based food delivery and logistics startup Radish.coop, joins Dru to discuss cooperative governance, member allegiances, equity and IPOs in cooperatives, and how we can transform the food system.
Any “Halfway Decent Person” Can Join And Own Ireland’s Oldest Gym
Defector — The gym is quiet. A handful of members are warming up in that monk-like way of serious competitors (one I speak to is a high-level competitive powerlifter). Music is bumping at very modest volume; most gymgoers have Airpods in, anyway. Pictures, mostly black-and-white, line the walls...Many of the photos are group shots of the club’s General Meetings of yesteryear. Since the founding and to this day, each gym member has voting rights and anyone can enter the running to join the committee, which plans events and decides how to spend the gym’s money...
BRED Leads Cooperative Statute All The WayÂ
Baltimore Rountable for Economic Democracy — Our project steward, Anna Evans-Goldstein, took initiative and cultivated the Maryland Limited Worker Cooperative Association Act. This meant a lot of drafts, meetings, conversations, connections, trips to Annapolis, and time. We are so proud of the work Anna has done on this, and are happy to be a part of getting this bill passed. A huge thank you goes out to the many cooperative members and supporters who contacted their elected representatives to push for this landmark legislation!...
When cooperatives collaborate, communities win
CUInsight — At the Minnesota Credit Union Network, we’re celebrating our 100th anniversary this year as well. And in the spirit of that milestone and Cooperative Principle #6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives—we decided to mark the occasion with a unique collaboration. We’ve partnered with Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, a Minneapolis-based, member-owned brewery, to launch High Yield Pale Ale—a special-release beer brewed by a cooperative, for cooperatives...
EU not doing enough to support worker buyouts, warn co-ops
Co-operative News — The letter suggests that the Commission adopt a new recommendation on business transfers along with coordinated policy actions. Recommendations include undertaking and coordinating a comprehensive data collection effort across member states on all types of business transfers; establishing an EU-wide business transfer barometer; and developing a strategy to prepare entrepreneurs for taking over or handing over a business...
The Government Didn’t Pay My Rent. Now What?
Shelterforce — So, what happens when a Section 8 tenant pays their portion of the rent, but the government fails to pay its share? According to statute, the tenant cannot be held responsible for the unpaid amount. (HUD in an email declined to provide specific information, instead referring Shelterforce to the Housing Assistance Payments contract. The applicable information can be found on page 9, subsection 5d, which states that “PHA failure to pay the housing assistance payment to the owner is not a violation of the lease. The owner may not terminate the tenancy for nonpayment of the PHA housing assistance payment.”)
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