MAY 2018

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Working Together: an update In 2017 the Co-operative Heritage Trust launched Working Together, a project to look for, record and preserve the heritage of the workers’ co-operative movement of the 1970s-1990s. Last April the Trust received £43,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to ensure key records could be identified and saved. This was supplemented by donations of more than £16,000 from current workers’ co-ops and co-operative organisations. Project archivist Philippa Lewis gives an update and shares some of the documents uncovered... Uncovering heritage The first stage of the project focused on locating and contacting over 240 key workers’ co-ops active in the 1970s-1990s – and finding out what kinds of materials they held. The next step was making sure that material would be safely deposited with the National Co-operative Archive, or another relevant local repository. One of the most interesting sets of material we received was from Unicorn, the workers’ co-op grocery based in Chorlton, Manchester. Items include minute books showing how collective decisions were made, as well as a selection of items highlighting Unicorn’s personality and role in the local community – such as aprons, T-shirts and promotional flyers. This material was transferred to the National Co-operative Archive in Manchester and has been safely deposited in the archive storeroom. The material will now be put into archivalstandard packaging to ensure its long-term preservation. Digitisation of key items and a catalogue entry on the Archives Hub will make it more accessible to future researchers. Oral histories Another element of the project has been the recording of oral histories with people linked to the workers’ co-operative movement in the 1970s-90s. These interviews have been conducted in locations all over the UK, including Brighton, Northampton, Liverpool and Manchester. This ensures the long-term preservation of personal experiences of those involved in workers’ co-op such as Daily Bread, Infinity Foods and York Community Books, as well as various co-operative support agencies. These recordings are being transcribed and will shortly be uploaded to the National Co-operative Archive website. Volunteers and next steps Crucial to the project has been the hard work of our volunteers, who have been involved in tasks such as: identifying workers’ co-ops; repackaging, cataloguing and digitising material; and creating summaries and transcriptions of oral histories. In the next stage of the project, volunteers will help us create outreach materials such as exhibition boards and learning resources. The next stage is to make sure the material is made as accessible as possible. As well as making digital copies available on the National Cooperative Archive website, we will display catalogue entries of material on the Archives Hub, to ensure collections are more accessible to researchers. We are also planning an exhibition to showcase some of the material. In May, we are holding sessions at the Co-operative Education and Research Conference, the Working Class Movement Library and the Worker Co-op Weekend. The exhibition will also be displayed at long term exhibition venues including the Rochdale Pioneers Museum and Warwick Modern Records Centre. For more details, find @CoopArchive on Twitter or visit www.archive.coop HERITAGE BY PHILIPPA LEWIS, Working Together project archivist at the Co-operative Heritage Trust 28 | MAY 2018
Working together to make the Co-operative Difference The Co-operative Party and the Co-op have had a great year making the case for co-operation and a fairer society. But there’s more to be done. That’s why once again we’re asking Co-op members to continue our 101 year-old partnership by voting YES to Motion 10 in the upcoming AGM ballot. www.party.coop/coopagm18 YES to motion 10 Some of our work since last year’s vote Westminster Labour & Co-op MPs and Peers questioned Ministers, laid amendments to legislation and instigated debates on a wide range of topics including: Community energy Credit unions Employee ownership Supporting the growth of the sector Scotland Championed Scotland’s own version of the Marcora law, which enables Italian workers to buy out their companies Made the case for democratic ownership of transport A co-operative future for Britain Secured a manifesto commitment from Labour to double the size of the co-operative economy Commissioned NEF to undertake a study of the steps required for significant expansion of the sector Wales Serving in the Welsh Government, Co-operative AMs have: Secured support for co-op businesses from the new Development Bank of Wales Introduced new support for agricultural co-ops Continued funding for the Wales Co-operative Centre Co-operative campaigning Supported the following campaigns highlighting the movement’s leading role: Fairtrade Fortnight Co-ops Fortnight the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission Votes at 16 The Fair Tax Mark General Election 38 Co-operative MPs elected - at least one in every region and nation of Britain. Co-operators elected, including MPs who previously: Brexit Consulted the co-operative sector on its priorities for the post-Brexit era Ran a co-operative development agency Advised businesses transitioning to employee ownership Established a housing co-operative Worked for a co-operative retailer Invited submissions from Party members as part of our democratic policy process Modern slavery Launched the Party’s Modern Slavery Charter, setting a new standard for ethics and transparency in council supply chains. Local government Hundreds of Labour & Co-op Councillors elected in May 2017. Part of a cross-party effort to improve support for survivors of modern slavery from 90 days to 12 months Challenged the Government on implementation and enforcement of the Modern Slavery Act. Andy Burnham elected the first Mayor of Greater Manchester as a Labour & Co-operative Candidate. Promoted the community wealth building model, which puts the development of cooperatives at the heart of sustainable local economic growth. Promoted by Claire McCarthy on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at 65 St John Street, London EC1M 4AN. Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registration no. 30027R MAY 2018 | 27
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Page 7 and 8: EQUALITY What is the gender pay gap
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Page 33 and 34: The Co-op Way to sustainability The
Page 35 and 36: to cut costs, they gave up this dev
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Page 47 and 48: vigilance is necessary if we are to
Page 49 and 50: Gain a masters degree at the home o
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MAY 2018

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