A Factory Without Bosses

The "Factory Without Bosses" cooperative tile factory in Patagonia, Argentina has set an example for workers fired by "failing" corporations. Over four years ago, the Zanón tile factory closed down, leaving the workers without jobs. Instead of walking away, these men and women recovered the factory and made it a complete success.

From Toward Freedom QUOTE It is one of the biggest "recuperated factories" in Argentina with exemplary worker management. It has created jobs, conquered the market, and managed to involve a whole community in its defense against repeated threats of eviction. After long legal maneuvering, a bankruptcy judge decided to hand the factory over to the Fasinpat cooperative in exchange for payment of 30,000 pesos (about $10,000) a month in taxes. It was a big step toward final expropriation and a recognition of the solid work of its 470 workers. UNQUOTE

Here in the United States, we would do well to take notice, in these days of worker layoffs and corporate welfare. The spirit of the factory occupation has extended far beyond the factory walls with the workers contributing to building projects for local schools and the construction of a health clinic in a nearby poor neighbourhood.