In work cooperatives, the workers are also members and, therefore, owners of the company. What does this mean and what does it imply? The members of Suara Cooperativa tell us.
For 125 years, cooperativism has been weaving responses to the prevailing economic and social model. In this context, one of its essential values is that the workers are at the same time partners and, therefore, owners of the company. But what implications does it have and what advantages does it bring? This is how different members of Suara Cooperativa experience it.
“(Being part of Suara Cooperativa is) Participation and democratic decision,” says Núria. Anna expresses herself in a similar way, saying that being part of a cooperative means “being able to decide together to get ahead.” Gemma has a similar vision: “Sharing all things with your colleagues, you are never alone. It is decided between all of us.”
This is because one of the main cooperative values is participation, since decision-making about the present and future of the organization is carried out in the General Assembly where all members participate on equal terms, voice. and vote. This guarantees a democratic and horizontal governance model where decisions are made in this body which, in the case of Suara, meets twice a year.
From a more emotional point of view, for Elena being part of Suara is "being part of a very stimulating common project"; by Georgina "sharing" and Oussama has found in the organization "family and work". For Maria Alejandra it is the opportunity to meet people of different origins, realities and ages while she highlights that there is “a very nice atmosphere.” Trini goes one step further and states that for her Suara is her “both personal and professional life.”
This feeling of belonging is achieved with Suara's participatory model, which beyond responding to an essential value and the DNA of the organization also manages to generate links between people, as well as feeling part of the organization.
One of the advantages of the workers being, at the same time, the owners of the cooperatives is that they ensure the rights of the employees, as well as their professional development, as Laila recognizes: “I like working at Suara because “He has a passion for people, it is participation and an opportunity for growth.” For Ireneusz, being part of a cooperative means being able to “surround yourself with people with whom you share values and grow together.”
There are work cooperatives in all areas and, in the case of Suara, we are dedicated to social action, so we accompany people, especially those who are in vulnerable situations. In this sense, for Maria, being within this organization means "being able to help the people who need it most."
Cooperative values
Now, what is the essence of cooperative values? For David and Estefanía the "participation", Miriam "the team", Samia "the co-creation" and Judith "the you to you". For Paula the definition of cooperativism is Suara: “For its values. We are all one".
But what is the true essence of the cooperative model that in the case of Catalonia was born 125 years ago? Well, above all, it consists of all people working together to achieve a common objective which, basically, is to make societies more fair, equitable and sustainable with both the social and natural environment.
To address this objective, we orient our activity to the three P: person, planet and purpose. Therefore, our activity moves with a clear purpose: putting the person and the planet at the center of our action, instead of productivity.
Therefore, we create sustainable and beneficial economic activities for the community and the environment; We generate quality jobs, we encourage people's participation while promoting social development to create a more just, equal and equitable world.
Another of the pillars of cooperativism is intercooperation between companies, organizations, entities and the community to find together the answers to the main social challenges of the 21st century.
Cooperative Congress
This way of doing and working places us as the real and necessary change for today's societies. Precisely, this will be one of the aspects that we will want to highlight next Thursday, when the first Catalan Cooperative Congress will take place since the restoration of democracy as an event to celebrate our 125 years of history.
This, which will include space for talks, participatory activities and networking, will serve to show how cooperativism is both the social and economic response to present and future challenges in order to promote an inclusive, equitable, sustainable society.
The Congress will begin with a welcome from the president of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès, the Parliament's board member, Josep Rull, and the president of the Confederation of Cooperatives of Catalonia, Guillem Llorens.
This will be followed by the inaugural conference by mountaineer Araceli Segarra. Subsequently, Carme Pagés, from the El Brot cooperative, and Lander Jiménez, from Human Center Cooperative, will explain their experience within the cooperative world.
After several outdoor activities, there will be a table with international voices such as John Carlin and, finally, the closing of the event will be given by Josep Guardiola.
