A Worker-Owned Green Future for All

During this period of economic turmoil, there has been much interest in the emerging green economy as a potential bright spot among a number of dimming sectors.  But who will benefit from the green economy?  Is this something we can only leave to larger corporations and their shareholders?  Or, is it possible for the people of our region to be the owners and the beneficiaries of the companies producing the products and services that will be part of a sustainable economy?

Omar Freilla, founder of the Green Workers Cooperative in the South Bronx, will share the story of hope and economic freedom arising in one of the most neglected parts of our state as they work to create green collar jobs and worker ownership at their successful ReBuilders Source – a worker-owned cooperative salvaging building materials for adaptive reuse.  We will also hear from Jim Anderson of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center.  Jim has led the creation of Evergreen Cooperative Laundry – a worker-owned enterprise offering green laundry services to universities and medical facilities that is giving low-income families a pathway out of poverty.