Discussion after the film spoke of examples around the country and extended to talk of communal housing and government funded projects like TVA that had a socialist aspect. We touched on the difference between socialism and worker owned companies.
Delicious refreshments helped to take the chill out of the cool church. The next event by Occupy will be in November and will feature Rep. David Linsky and how 'sausage' or legislation is made.
Sponsored by Occupy Natick this film shown at the Common St. Community Church last night offered viewers a new way to look at business. The film showed examples of companies and stores and businesses that were worker owned and worker run. From the industrial laundry company in Detroit, Evergreen, to Mondragon's in Spain to bakeries in California to Equal Exchange the testimonies of owner workers claimed that owning a piece of your job is a good way to go. Members make decisions, hear the debate on decisions, benefit when the company is doing well and accept reduced pay when the company does poorly. In most cases workers are not laid off. They may take a cut in pay or seek work at another cooperative somewhere, but the main focus of the worker cooperatives is to take care of its people.