A look at the Co-operative Movement

What is the Co-operative movement?

A Co-operative is any business, or other organisation which is owned and run jointly by its members, who share the profits or benefits. The Working Class Movement Library website has information on the history of the movement.

Co-operative Values and Principles

Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.

The Rochdale principles for co-operatives:

1. Democratic control: one member, one vote
2. Open membership
3. Fixed or limited interest on capital
4. Dividend on purchases
5. Trading strictly cash
6. Selling of pure and unadulterated goods
7. Provision of education of members in co-operative principles
8. Political and religious neutrality

The Co-operative College

The Co-operative college offers training to support businesses working as a part of the co-operative movement.

The co-operative College is also about to launch itself as a university, and they also work in partnership with Upskill People, who provide training for people who work in the retail and hospitality sector.