This work analyzes management practices in labor cooperatives, in the State of Minas Gerais, in relation to participation, communication and planning. Questionnaires were sent out to 200 cooperatives, of which 46 were returned. The sample involved 40 urban and 6 rural cooperatives. It was found that member participation is promoted through: courses/training - 17%; personal contacts, letters and phone calls - 15%; and meetings - 24%. In the area of communication, the tools used are: telephone - 18%; visit by the member - 15%; information bulletins - 16%; and letters - 16%. The planning involves: knowledge of resources - 22%; medium term planning - 12%; evaluation system - 12%; and environmental analysis - 13%. The use of different management tools may be an indication that managers are attempting to make their organizations more efficient, in terms of meeting the interests of their members.