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Democratic Enterprise: Ethical busi

GreenCity Wholefoods

GreenCity Wholefoods is a non-e

workers, the community and the

GreenCity Wholefoods was esta

three additional persons (at the

a worker co-operative). Like ma

experiencing difficulties along t

and ethical company. Today, th

members. From its humble beg

commercial success, the compa

system of governance, manage

Governance

GreenCity is jointly owned and

system of governance based on

has a blended approach to deci

vote on a decision) is only calle

membership, while a system of

management committee to ma

strategic and operational busin

the AGM, needs an eighty per c

Management

The company operates a flat m

management structure), where

oversee the strategic operation

committee are drawn from eac

At an operational level, Green C

manufacturing, warehousing a

autonomously (e.g. have their o

operations are entrusted to eac

ness for the 21st century Co-operative Edu

Creative Commo

Case Study 5.2

ploitative workplace that takes into consideratio

environment as a whole.

GreenCity Wholefoods Mission State

blished on 6 June 1978 by four founding mem

time, IPS law required that seven people were

ny nascent businesses, the company progresse

he way (mainly capital related), but established

e business generates over 4m in revenue and

innings operating out of a small flat in Hamilto

ny has retained and improved an equitable an

ment and membership development.

democratically controlled by its members and t

one member/one vote. Like most worker-co-o

sion-making; direct democracy (where every m

upon to deal with issues relating to company

representative democracy (where the member

ke decisions on its behalf) is in place to deal wit

ess issues. Any decision taken, whether at a mo

ent majority for it to be approved.

nagement structure (the norm in most busines

individual members are elected to a managem

s of the business. The persons serving on the m

of the functional areas, ensuring fair represen

ity is organised by functional area: accounts, sa

d transport. Each of these departments operat

wn meetings and targets) and decisions relatin

h department.

cation Trust Scotland

ns 3.0 Licence

n the interests of

ment

ers along with

eeded to establish

slowly,

itself as a profitable

as thirty-three

to its current

co-operative

herefore operates a

peratives, GreenCity

ember is required to

policy or

elect a

h the majority of

thly meeting or

ses is a hierarchical

ent committee to

anagement

ation.

les, purchasing,

s largely

g to day-to-day

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Democratic Enterprise: Ethical busi

Membership

A committed and homogenous

GreenCity, every member is ent

worker co-operatives with a flatprobationary period for new w

person is right for the business

important role in the company;

outside of their specialty and fa

The company believes strongly

not only ensures that members

to generate high levels of mem

every member is literate in fina

disseminating company develo

contribute.

ness for the 21st century Co-operative Edu

Creative Commo

membership is a critical for the success of a wo

itled to the same pay and benefits, a practice th

management structure. The company has a sixrkers before offering them full membership, to

and vice versa. The Personnel and Training dep

it encourages members to get involved in area

cilitates this process.

in the importance of sharing information with

are kept up-to-date with developments in the

ber commitment. Some examples of this policy

cial matters (so they can participate effectively

pments through a digital notice board to which

cation Trust Scotland

ns 3.0 Licence

rker co-operative. In

at is common in

monthensure that the

rtment plays an

s of the business

very member. This

usiness, but helps

include ensuring

at the AGM), and

every member can