Journal of Co-operative Studies, 34(1), 43-49

Abstract

This paper considers how the polarisation between "consumer" and "worker" co-operatives developed in the UK. It includes a focus on how certain "co-partnership" societies survived together with the constitutional position of employees in UK consumer co-operatives during the last century.  Some international "Co-partnership" examples are given and the application of these international and historical cases to the new thinking about the role of employees crystallised in the Co-operative Commission Report is considered. The paper is one of three papers presented to a seminar on 'Co-operative opportunities' on March 1, 2001in Manchester. The two other papers by Ian Snaith and Cliff Mills are also included in this issue.