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    WSDE Presentation

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    Chloe S
    Slideshow presentation describing WSDE's (Worker Self-Directed Enterprise), originally a course assignment submitted as part of completion requirements for Athabasca University economy course ECON 330

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    WSDE Presentation

    Uploaded by

    Chloe S
    369 views10 pages
    Slideshow presentation describing WSDE's (Worker Self-Directed Enterprise), originally a course assignment submitted as part of completion requirements for Athabasca University economy course ECON 330

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Slideshow presentation describing WSDE's (Worker Self-Directed Enterprise), originally a course assignment submitted as part of completion requirements for Athabasca University economy course ECON 330

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    369 views10 pages

    WSDE Presentation

    Uploaded by

    Chloe S
    Slideshow presentation describing WSDE's (Worker Self-Directed Enterprise), originally a course assignment submitted as part of completion requirements for Athabasca University economy course ECON 330

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 10

    Worker Self-Directed

    Enterprises (WSDEs):
    What are they, what are the
    advantages, and what would it
    involve to convert into one?

    A presentation by Chloé St. Onge-Shank


    What is a “WSDE”?
     Workers form their own collective board of
    directors.

     Tasks are shared equally, and everyone


    develops multiple skills.

     Ownership is likely split among workers and


    nonworkers (with most workers also owning
    a part of the company and thus, having a
    say on the board).
    What is a “WSDE”?

     Cooperation > Competition.

     Profits are just one objective,


    alongside employee wellness,
    community solidarities, and our
    enterprise’s relation to the natural
    environment.
    Contrasting WSDEs with modern
    private capitalist corporations.
    Worker Self-Directed Enterprises Modern private capitalist corporations

    Each worker has an equal say. Shareholders vote (1 vote per share) on who
    makes up the board of directors.

    Only workers can become a member of the Shareholders aren’t usually workers inside the
    board of directors. corporation.

    Workers’ health, environmental


    Profits are the main priority.
    considerations, profits, and community
    solidarities are all equally prioritized.

    Minimum and maximum worker incomes are Worker wages are decided by the board of
    decided democratically. directors (non-workers)

    Workers rotate between roles and learn


    Workers are each given specific roles.
    multiple skills.
    A modern-
    day example

    Mondragon Cooperative Corporation in Northern Spain


    What are the possibilities of taking over
    the workplace and running it as a WSDE?

     Management roles would be eliminated.

     Salaries will be re-evaluated based on a collective


    agreement & pay differentials would be kept at a minimum.

     Our company’s success would no longer be based on our rate


    of profits.
    What are the possibilities of taking over
    the workplace and running it as a WSDE?
     Dedicated research committee.

     Creating and maintaining channels for open communication.

     Expert-led training sessions/external management may be hired.

     Labour/leisure decisions are made collectively.

     Various ownership arrangements can coexist with WSDEs.


    What are the challenges of taking over
    the workplace and running it as a WSDE?

     Decisions may take longer as each worker (or representative) must


    be given a chance to vote.

     In the face of economical challenges, workers may need to


    collectively agree upon a salary reduction.

     Everyone must be in agreement with the principles of a worker


    cooperative, and actively participate in the voting process.
    In summary…

     In transforming our corporation into a WSDE, we will become our own


    bosses and work to form our own collective board of directors.

     There will be no hierarchy amongst the workers and everyone will


    rotate positions and build a universal skillset.

     Should a salary differential be agreed upon, this ratio will be


    standardized and voted upon by all of the workers.

     Profits will no longer be our only objective.


    References

     Lingane, A. (2015). Case studies. Business Conversions to Worker Cooperatives—Insights and Readiness

    Factors for Owners and Employees. Project Equity. Retrieved from

    https://project-equity.org/about-us/publications/case-studies-business-conversions-to-worker-cooperatives/.

     Masquelier, C. (2017). Beyond co-optation: Revisiting the transformative function of “workers’ self-directed

    enterprises.” Socialism and Democracy, 31(2), 53–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854300.2017.1330322

     Wolff, R. D. (2014, September 20). Socialism and workers' self-directed enterprises. Truthout. Retrieved

    October 2, 2022, from https://truthout.org/articles/socialism-and-workers-self-directed-enterprises/

     Wolff, R. D. (2012). Democracy at work: Workers' self-directed enterprises. Haymarket.

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