Is the NY Times getting it?

From California to Maine, over the last 15 years low-wage workers have steadily organized employee-owned small businesses

Here are some choice quotes and close paraphrases captured by Jim Johnson and Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, GEO Collective members in attendance:

Friday October 14, 2011, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! keynoted the first CICOPA North America Worker Co-op conference in Quebec. Goodman addressed an audience of over 150, including many representatives from worker cooperatives across Canada and the United States.  She told us: "We need a media that covers the movements that create static, and history, like yours." While her main message was about the importance of independent media, she also commented that, "As the Occupy Wall Street movement looks for solutions -  this is what all of you are about!"

Last night, CICOPA North America was formed in Quebec at the first ever North American Worker Cooperative Conference!

Also at the opening of the conference last night, it was announced that US Federation of Worker Cooperatives President Rebecca Kemble (member of Union Cab of Madison Cooperative) has been named President of CICOPA North America! In serving as president, Rebecca also fills the positions of Vice President of CICOPA of the Americas, and member of the Executive Committee of CICOPA.

Jessica Gordon-Nembhard and Jim Johnson are at the conference representing GEO (among other of our affiliations). We will try to do more blogging through the remainder of the conference.

Announcment from the NYC Network of Worker Co-ops in English and Spanish

US Steelworkers pass resolution endorsing its unionized, worker-owned cooperative development activities

I was trusting in two things. First, that there was enough cooperative drive among developers to overcome whatever fears, conflicts, and challenges that could (and hopefully would) arise. Second, the power of listening could successfully drive the development of the project from start to finish.

Co-Soap Hopes Its Unique Business Model Will Spark Economic Growth and Justice.