Fun in Argentina

Recent reports on the unexpected and amazing shakeups in Argentinian politics by paisleychick along with many a work complaint about bosses and workmates by other LJ friends makes me think back on some positive political economic developments in Argentina: the rise of the worker-owned and operated cooperatives. (Of course, for occasional first hand reports from the States on worker cooperatives in action, one can always check out cheesephilic LJer gordonzola. "Hmmm . . . cheese . . .")

Tired of bosses and jerky co-workers who slack and slide? This is one way to route around that problem.

Here's the Chocolate Factory, But Were Has Willy Wonka Gone? - Guardian (UK) - 11 May 07

"If Willy Wonka and Karl Marx went into business together the result might resemble Ghelco. From the outside it is a nondescript industrial site in a drab suburb of Buenos Aires, the firm's logo barely visible. Inside, the first thing you notice is the smell of chocolate, honey, caramel, ice cream, cakes and jam. Machines hum while cheerful men in green overalls pack crates of confectionary.

The second thing you notice is the absence of bosses. There are no people in suits giving orders. They do not exist. Nor is there an official owner. Ghelco is run as a cooperative along democratic lines, with an equal say and equal pay.

'In the beginning no one thought we could do it, they thought we were brutes, ignorant. But we're still here, stronger than ever,' said Daniel López, 37, who operates machinery and is a member of the sales team.'

Argentina's Recovered Factories - Zmag - 17 Dec 03

"The Work of Changing Minds" by Esteban Magnani

"The end of 2001 was a strange time. It had been usual to see the 'others', the poor, complaining on the streets throughout the country. But this time it was the middle class and their endless cries. The same ones who were showing off with their 4 wheelers, were throwing eggs against the bank doors as the police stood in silence in front of them.

From that chaos and devastation, in which everything was being questioned, grew new forms of organizing. Each one tried to do what he/she knew best before politicians did it themselves. The middle class gathered in the street corners to discuss politics, the unemployed demonstrated everywhere asking for state aid, and the workers... well, some of them went beyond what was known and decided that work was not something to ask for but to build for themselves."

Feel like a movie tonight? "The Take" documents the factory takeovers. The Guardian (UK) has also provided a photo tour of several Argentinian cooperatives.

Fun in Argentina

Recent reports on the unexpected and amazing shakeups in Argentinian politics by paisleychick along with many a work complaint about bosses and workmates by other LJ friends makes me think back on some positive political economic developments in Argentina: the rise of the worker-owned and operated cooperatives. (Of course, for occasional first hand reports from the States on worker cooperatives in action, one can always check out cheesephilic LJer gordonzola. "Hmmm . . . cheese . . .")

Tired of bosses and jerky co-workers who slack and slide? This is one way to route around that problem.

Here's the Chocolate Factory, But Were Has Willy Wonka Gone? - Guardian (UK) - 11 May 07

"If Willy Wonka and Karl Marx went into business together the result might resemble Ghelco. From the outside it is a nondescript industrial site in a drab suburb of Buenos Aires, the firm's logo barely visible. Inside, the first thing you notice is the smell of chocolate, honey, caramel, ice cream, cakes and jam. Machines hum while cheerful men in green overalls pack crates of confectionary.

The second thing you notice is the absence of bosses. There are no people in suits giving orders. They do not exist. Nor is there an official owner. Ghelco is run as a cooperative along democratic lines, with an equal say and equal pay.

'In the beginning no one thought we could do it, they thought we were brutes, ignorant. But we're still here, stronger than ever,' said Daniel López, 37, who operates machinery and is a member of the sales team.'

Argentina's Recovered Factories - Zmag - 17 Dec 03

"The Work of Changing Minds" by Esteban Magnani

"The end of 2001 was a strange time. It had been usual to see the 'others', the poor, complaining on the streets throughout the country. But this time it was the middle class and their endless cries. The same ones who were showing off with their 4 wheelers, were throwing eggs against the bank doors as the police stood in silence in front of them.

From that chaos and devastation, in which everything was being questioned, grew new forms of organizing. Each one tried to do what he/she knew best before politicians did it themselves. The middle class gathered in the street corners to discuss politics, the unemployed demonstrated everywhere asking for state aid, and the workers... well, some of them went beyond what was known and decided that work was not something to ask for but to build for themselves."

Feel like a movie tonight? "The Take" documents the factory takeovers. The Guardian (UK) has also provided a photo tour of several Argentinian cooperatives.