The Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy has one of the highest concentrations of cooperative businesses in the developed world. The capital, Bologna is an industrial powerhouse, where prosperity is widely shared, and cooperatives of teachers and social workers play a key role in the provision of government services. WEconomics: Italy is a new, 19-minute report about [...]

While the US economy remains sluggish, companies owned and managed by employees are faring better. They are more innovative, efficient, and profitable than the norm and are gaining attention. Encouraging worker-owned businesses can help the economy be more equitable, without new taxes and government regulations. The worker coops and employee owned businesses listed in the [...]

We arrived in Mondragon at a challenging time. Fagor Home Appliances, the first and largest Mondragon industrial cooperative was preparing to declare bankruptcy following the collapse of the housing boom in Europe. Two years ago when we filmed at Fagor for SHIFT CHANGE, we knew that production was down and some Fagor workers were transferring [...]

The world premiere of SHIFT CHANGE took place on October 18 in Oakland, CA. More than 400 cooperators, supporters, sponsors, and friends gathered to celebrate the release of the film and to kick off its nationwide tour. We were fortunate to have the photographic skills of Brooke Anderson, who documented both the VIP pre-reception at [...]

At a time when many are disillusioned with big banks and big business, and growing inequity in our country, employee ownership offers a real solution for workers and communities. SHIFT CHANGE is a new documentary that highlights worker-owned enterprises in North America and in Mondragon, Spain. Take a look at the preview and please share your [...]