In the 70s, workers in the UK occupied a Lucas Aerospace factory, striking for higher wages and job security. However, they decided that they no longer wanted to produce weapons, so the workforce collectively brainstormed for new production plans.
Taking into account the available technology, skills, and resources, they drew up suggestions and plans for 150 different products, many eco-friendly, including wind turbines, energy-efficient heat pumps, and hybrid power packs for cars, which were groundbreaking at the time.
The workers were neglected by both the labor party and union officials, and as they became isolated their plans were eventually doomed. But this is one of the many counterpoints to the myth that workers are too incompetent or ignorant to manage and plan their own affairs.
And it's one small foretaste of the kind of self-empowerment, freedom, and creativity that socialism could unleash.
