The Solidarity Economy is an alternative development framework that is grounded in practice and the in the principles of: solidarity, mutualism, and cooperation; equity in all dimensions (race/ethnicity/ nationality, class, gender, LGBTQ); social well-being over profit and the unfettered rule of the market; sustainability; social and economic democracy; and pluralism, allowing for different forms in different contexts, open to continual change and driven from the bottom-up.

On 81st birthday, Oregon man gives company to employees

Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Page updated at 12:51 PM

DOUG BEGHTEL / AP Bob Moore, standing in his retail store, had his 81st birthday this week
and celebrated by transferring his business to his workers. His
successful whole-grain production business mills grains, operates a
retail store and restaurant, and ships products internationally.
 

On 81st birthday, Oregon man gives company to employees

The Oregonian

MILWAUKIE, Ore. — Scores of employees gathered to help Bob Moore celebrate his 81st birthday this week at the company that bears his name, Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods.

Moore, whose mutual love of healthful eating and old-world technologies spawned an internationally distributed line of products, responded with a gift of his own — the whole company. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan that Moore unveiled means that his 209 employees now own the place and its 400 offerings of stone-ground flours, cereals and bread mixes.

"This is Bob taking care of us," said Lori Sobelson, who helps run the business' retail operation. "He expects a lot out of us, but really gives us the world in return."

Moore declined to say how much he thinks the company is worth. In 2004, however, one business publication estimated that year's revenue at more than $24 million. A company news release issued this week stated that Bob's Red Mill has chalked up an annual growth rate of between 20 percent and 30 percent every year since.


Solidarity University in Vienna, Austria open now

A few minutes ago, the Solidarity University (kritische und solidarische Universität = KriSU) was founded inVienna, Austria. KriSU-activists revitalized rooms which are vacant since 2 years for the public. KriSU reacts on the fundamental social, ecological and economic crisis of capitalist society. It sees itself as a part of the global university protests. Elfriede Jelinek, famous Austrian writer, declared her solidarity: „I am glad to support this action, since I would support any critical initiative weakening those encrusted university structures.“

Cleveland invests in cooperatives

Cleveland invests in a network of cooperatives, starting with Evergreen Laundry.  Check out this short video. 

http://www.blip.tv/file/2749165