Cooperatives

Cooperatives 

There are currently two cooperatives at the Centro Autónomo. The cleaning cooperative, Cleaning Power, has been working for almost two years, and the cooking cooperative is relatively new. Both are run by their members on the basic tenets of fair wages and no bosses.  For more information on Cleaning power, the cleaning cooperative, click here.

Especially during this economic crisis, and especially in a society that renders women susceptible to financial dependency, the cooperative model of business is important and empowering. Through collective job creation and decision-making the members of these cooperatives are presenting to their families and communities alternatives to the rampant profits-over-people mentality. We see the monetary valuing of traditionally unpaid “women’s work” (cooking and cleaning) as a step in the right direction as we continue to work towards a world where work is dignified and people are able to develop their interests to their fullest potential.

The members of Cleaning Power have decided upon prices that allow them fair wages for their time and quality of work. They have also decided to use only environmentally sensitive cleaning products that are safer for clients, themselves and the environment in general.

The members of the cooking cooperative started out volunteering to cook and sell snacks to the students who come for English as a Second Language classes in order to support the Centro Autónomo. Now, they have expanded and as well as volunteering, they support themselves by cooking and selling gourmet-style Mexican dishes at lunchtime.

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