How can we ensure our needs are met – even beyond times of crisis? How can the production of goods and services be organized so that all workers have a say? And what is the relationship between cooperatives and capitalism and real-state socialism?
Chris explores these questions in a conversation with Delal Atmaca. The economist, consultant, lecturer, and co-founder of DaMigra earned her doctorate on the topic of cooperatives in rural East Germany after 1989. This time, we'll cover both the theory behind cooperative economics and specific businesses that Delal has encountered and researched.
In the news, you'll learn about the bitter end of a 24-hour caregiver's lawsuit. We also report on the collective bargaining round in the public sector and how you can get involved. And in the vision, we look this time to Barcelona, where the Care Card was introduced several years ago.
Enjoy listening!
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Show notes
Would you like to give us feedback? Then write to us at care@knoe.org
Invitation to the kick-off meeting of the alliance “Leipzig stands together”: 31.01.2025, 18:00, Volkshaus Leipzig
Individuals, groups, and initiatives are invited to join forces to support public sector employees in the collective bargaining round. Come along and find out how you can get involved in the coming weeks to ensure good public services! You can find more information at Wir Fahren Zusammen Leipzig (@wirfahrenzusammen.leipzig)!
News
Current report on the grievances in 24-hour care: https://taz.de/Missstaende-in-der-24-Stunden-Pflege/!6058345/
New news from Fair Mobility: https://www.faire-mobilitaet.de/fachinformationen/berichte-und-erfolge/das-bittere-ende-einer-erfolgreichen-klage-in-der-sogenannten-24-stunden-pflege/
Overview of the collective bargaining round for the federal and local public services:
https://www.labournet.de/branchen/dienstleistungen/oedienst/tarif-und-besoldungsrunde-oeffentlicher-dienst-bund-und-kommunen-2025/
Interview with Silvia Habekost (nurse from Berlin) "We work to the limit and beyond": https://konzeptwerk-neue-oekonomie.org/wir-arbeiten-bis-zur-belastungsgrenze-und-auch-darueber-hinaus/
Overview of the collective bargaining round at Deutsche Post AG: https://www.labournet.de/branchen/dienstleistungen/post/tarifrunde-deutsche-post-ag-2025-mehr-muss-her/
Press release on the Postal Service’s collective bargaining round of January 29, 2025:
https://www.verdi.de/themen/geld-tarif/++co++126939e0-92d7-11ef-b8a9-abe46bff1c52
Report on the first BVG warning strike on January 27, 2025
https://www.verdi.de/themen/nachrichten/++co++f3b4a67e-d426-11ef-93a7-e78918fd4184
Alliance “Berlin stands together”: https://berlinstehtzusammen.de/
Interview
Delal Atmaca is the managing director and co-founder of the umbrella organization of migrant women's organizations (DaMigra eV). After studying law and cooperative economics, she earned her doctorate in economics. She has served on the board of WeiberWirtschaft eG, the Migrationsrat Berlin eV, and the Initiative of Self-Employed Immigrants eV, among other things. Her research has focused on the successful establishment of cooperatives after 1989 in rural areas of the GDR.
As a nationwide umbrella organization, DaMigra advocates for equal rights for women, especially those with refugee and migration experiences. The umbrella organization fights against hate and incitement, for a life free of violence, and for a fairer, more diverse society in which no one is excluded based on gender, origin, or multiple discrimination. DaMigra's work is essential to creating safe spaces and securing the foundations for social participation and equality – and this finally requires long-term, reliable support. You can support DaMigra: Donate now to strengthen feminist perspectives and ensure DaMigra remains visible as a strong intersectional voice. Together for equality, diversity, and justice! #DaMigraStays
Vision
Information about the care card from the City of Barcelona "Let's Care for Carers": https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dretssocials/sites/default/files/arxius-documents/care-card.pdf
Brochure "Socializing Care Work: A Local Policy Toolbox for a 'Caring City'": https://www.rosalux.de/fileadmin/rls_uploads/pdfs/sonst_publikationen/Sorgende_Staaedte_CareArbeitVergesellschaften_RLS_2024.pdf
Definitions
Laissez-faire capitalism ("laisser faire," French for "let it be done"): Refers to a liberal economic policy practiced in the 19th century, including in the United Kingdom. Its central element was the withdrawal of the state from economic processes. This form of economic policy was criticized for leading to the impoverishment of the working population and for promoting the formation of monopolies (i.e., the concentration of power in individual companies).
Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers (English for the "Society of Equitable Pioneers of Rochdale"): A consumer and savings cooperative founded in December 1844 by 28 weavers in Rochdale, northern England (near Manchester). On December 21, 1844, they opened a shop selling potatoes, butter, oil, and soap. The founding was a direct response to industrialization, which meant the weavers were cut off from supplies. More information here: https://genostory.de/redliche-pioniere-von-rochdale-113 and here: https://neuezeit.at/rochdale-genossenschaft/
Full (productive) cooperatives: A specific type of cooperative that extends across many areas of life for all members and thus represents a communal living model. The goal of these cooperatives is to provide their members with an organizational framework within which they can meet their needs for food, housing, and activities, thereby achieving beneficial effects for the institutionalized community (and thus for themselves). Through their participation in various areas of the cooperative, the members are all directly involved in the implementation of this goal and, collectively, are able to create added value for the community. Source: https://www.wu.ac.at/ricc/geno-schafft-blog/aktuelle-blogbeitraege/detail/die-vollgenossenschaft
Music
Rihanna: Work
Scott Holmes Music: Positive and Fun https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Tim Taj: Upbeat Happy https://freemusicarchive.org/music/timtaj/positive-corporate-music/upbeat-happy/
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© 2025. This work is openly licensed via CC BY-NC 4.0 DEED
