Here’s some news for the end of summer: Senator Bernie Sanders has reintroduced a bill to guarantee at least two weeks of paid vacation to every full-time worker in America. I used to live in Norway and Sweden, where five weeks paid vacation were mandated for all, so this seems like it would be a modest step.

At Hunger Mountain Co-op, we’re closer to Scandinavia. Full-time workers are eligible for up to seven paid holidays a year, plus four weeks of paid time off (for vacation, sick leave, etc.) per year in their first year. After 10 years, full-time employees are eligible for seven weeks of paid time off. 

Time away from work and regular routines is important for work-life balance, serenity, health—and for coming back to work with new energy. I hope everyone has been enjoying some carefree time this summer! 

DEI is still going strong 

Earlier this year, the council voted to revise our Ends policies, which elaborate on our mission statement. Four existing policies were updated, and a new policy now states, “Member-owners, customers, workers, and vendors experience a culture of dignity, equity, inclusion, and respect in all Co-op interactions.” These are values which we as a co-op lived by before, and it felt important to enshrine them in policy. 

At the time, it seemed like making this statement was going against the national tide. I was pleased, however, to see some reporting from The Guardian that companies that have maintained DEI policies have done at least as well as companies that have succumbed to pressure and dropped them: US firms that kept DEI policies despite ‘go woke, go broke’ threats thrived. 

The council adopted the policy because it was the right thing to do. It’s heartening to know that it’s good business, too. And I’m pleased that our community is so in alignment with this policy that I’ve heard zero objections to it.  

The Wrap 

Here’s a contribution from a perspicacious reader, from a sign in Newport: 

Q: What do you call an acid with an attitude? 

A: A-mean-o acid.

—Carl Etnier, Council President

Do you have any questions or comments about the council? Do you know any jokes even faintly related to food and/or co-ops? Please email them to me!