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SHIFT CHANGE: PUTTING DEMOCRACY TO WORK tells the little known stories of employee-owned businesses that compete successfully in today's economy while providing secure, dignified jobs in democratic workplaces.
With the long decline in US manufacturing and today's economic crisis, millions have been thrown out of work, and many are losing their homes. The usual economic solutions are not working, so some citizens and public officials are ready to think outside of the box, to reinvent our failing economy in order to restore long term community stability and a more egalitarian way of life.
There is growing interest in firms that are owned and managed by their workers. Such firms tend to be more profitable and innovative, and more committed to the communities where they are based. Yet the public has little knowledge of their success, and the promise they offer for a better life.
Amongst the organizations featured in SHIFT CHANGE are Mondragon Cooperative Corporation, The Evergreen Cooperatives, Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives, and Equal Exchange.
69 minutes
SDH Captioning for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
A film by Mark Dworkin & Melissa Young
A Moving Images Production
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"Any new economy that is more just, democratic and green must open the door to more democratic forms of ownership. Shift Change nimbly moves from the successful cooperatives of Mondragon, Spain to efforts to build cooperatives across the United States."
John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies and co-chair of the New Economy Working Group
"The North American worker cooperatives and the Mondragón cooperatives in Shift Change tell a compelling story of real possibilities at a time when many think there are no solutions to this current difficult economic situation."
Paul Hazen, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association
"Gorgeous! Simply beautiful! I love what I see so far. The U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives strongly supports this project."
Melissa Hoover, Executive Director, U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives