The People's Hotel: Working for Justice in Argentina

The Hotel Bauen in Buenos Aires was transformed into a worker cooperative during Argentina's economic crisis in 2001, providing jobs and housing for former employees. Katherine Sobering's book, The Peoples Hotel, explores the history and success of the cooperative, highlighting the challenges and innovations faced by its members.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Argentina experienced a severe economic crisis in 2001, leading to widespread bankruptcy, unemployment, and poverty. One of the most notable casualties of the crisis was the iconic twenty-story Hotel Bauen in Buenos Aires, which closed its doors, leaving longtime hospitality workers without jobs. However, a group of former employees took matters into their own hands and occupied the property, transforming it into a worker cooperative. In her book, "The People's Hotel," Katherine Sobering recounts the history of the Hotel Bauen, detailing its transformation from a privately owned business to a democratic and equal workplace. Sobering's research combines ethnographic and archival research with her own experiences as a volunteer worker at the hotel, providing a comprehensive overview of the cooperative's growth and success. The Bauen Cooperative faced numerous challenges, including financial instability, competition from larger hotels, and resistance from traditional labor unions. However, through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to social justice, the cooperative managed to keep the hotel open for nearly two decades. Sobering highlights the successes and innovations of the cooperative, including its innovative job rotation system, which ensured that all members were paid equally and had the opportunity to develop new skills. She also explores the impact of the cooperative on the broader community, including its role in providing affordable housing and supporting local businesses. Despite the challenges faced by the Bauen Cooperative, Sobering argues that it provides a model for how workers can organize and fight for their rights in a capitalist economy. The book is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of workers and the potential for social change.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478018261