Conflict and conflict resolution in a cooperative: The case of the Nir Taxi Station

What conflict resolution mechanisms do democratic worker cooperatives gener ate and to what extent could these mechanisms be called democratic? This ca se study tries to address these questions by examining both conflict and co nflict resolution in a democratic organization, a 66-year-old taxi cooperat ive. The conflicts presented stem from three main sources: ethnic origin, l ocal division of labor, and "class" affiliation. These conflicts are resolv ed through different processes, ranging from a joke-telling ritual to a for mal tribunal composed of elected judges. Discussion centers on unique aspec ts of conflict resolution in a democratic worker cooperative and their impl ications for studies of conflict resolution in nondemocratic firms.