Transcript BELFAST CLEANING SOCIETY A WORKER’S COOPERATIVE

Cooperative Enterprise Hub
Launch
October 2012
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Trademark anti-sectarian unit of the ICTU.
An organisation dedicated to addressing inequality
and sectarianism.
As a democratic anti-sectarian organisation we
thought that Interface Worker Cooperatives had
potential to tackle poverty, address inequality and
bring workers together to work for joint benefit
across the divide.
So in the worst recession in 80 years we decided to
start a business on an interface in Belfast.
Our chance came at the MTV show in 2011.
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At last year’s much vaunted MTV showcase in
Belfast where Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber took the
headlines, a perhaps more significant event was
taking place back stage.
A group of worker-owners from the Falls and
Shankill set about establishing Belfast’s first
Interface Worker Cooperative.
Since then we have won other contracts, including
Tenant’s Vital gig with the Foo Fighters and Stone
Roses and we are in discussions with Showinc
UK/Ireland.
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In February 2012 the coop was successful in its
request for support from the Cooperative Enterprise
Hub.
Jo Bird was appointed and was instrumental in shaping
and encouraging the formation of the Coop giving
sound business advice but who also understood the
values and potential of a democratic workplace.
We were also fortunate to have the advice of Tiziana
O’Hara at the N. Ireland Co-operative Forum who
understands the very real challenges of establishing
worker Coops in Northern Ireland.
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In May 2012 board members were voted in, the
structure, governance & business plan was agreed.
Logo designed by Creative Workers Cooperative
.....And a lovely job it is too.....and the Website is
currently under construction...
We have secured further contracts with Trademark, the
ICTU, the Creative Workers Coop and Na Croisbhealaí
Café highlighting the importance of inter-cooperation
amongst coops in developing the business.
Cooperative registration was completed in May 2012
and the BCC is now a registered workers cooperative.
Clare (Founder Member/worker)
Lindsey (Founder member/worker
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We have also recognised the importance of political
lobbying - Belfast Cleaning Cooperative won cross
party support in a Belfast City Council meeting May
2012.
http://www.belfastcity.publici.tv/core/portal/webca
st_interactive/78986... 1.49 on film
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We are currently negotiating for inclusion on the
Council procurement list; we don't want a hand out
just a level playing field.
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Of course it is not all plain sailing.
We face issues around sweat equity, ensuring an equal
commitment from all members and deciding who does
what, when and how democratically?
How do we build the business to help new members
come of the benefit system and into full time
employment?
We need agreement on the path the cooperative takes
and we need to be sure that all members are working
towards the same goals....and they are:
Better working conditions, a living wage, dignity at
work and living up to the challenges of being a worker
and an owner of a cooperative enterprise.
It is the vision and commitment of the founder
members of the Belfast Cleaning Society to develop
a profitable business that is also a cross community
workers cooperative with a strong antiSectarian ethos.
It is unionised, it is worker controlled, it is
democratic and the workers pay themselves above
the industry average, whilst re-investing their profits
in their future.
ti sectarian ethos.