US Federation of Worker Co-ops

un imagen de una semilla intentando crecer con dificultades y texto encima que describe las causas fundamentales de la falta de participación. Dos fotos de perfil de matta feinstein quien tiene piel clara y pelo corto y lleva un gorro de beisbol y sonrie y maureen darras quien tiene piel clara y pelo largo cafe y rizado y lleva una camiseta blanca con un collar, ambos son personal de la clinica cooperativa. Texto dice fundamentales de la democracia en el trabajo, participación de la membresía miércoles 11 de marzo 3pm tiempo del este por zoom.

un imagen de una semilla intentando crecer con dificultades y texto encima que describe las causas fundamentales de la falta de participación. Dos fotos de perfil de matta feinstein quien tiene piel clara y pelo corto y lleva un gorro de beisbol y sonrie y maureen darras quien tiene piel clara y pelo largo cafe y rizado y lleva una camiseta blanca con un collar, ambos son personal de la clinica cooperativa. Texto dice fundamentales de la democracia en el trabajo, participación de la membresía miércoles 11 de marzo 3pm tiempo del este por zoom.

¿Quieres revitalizar la energía para la toma de decisiones importantes en tu cooperativa?

Únete a la Clínica Cooperativa para compartir el poder y tomar decisiones colectivas en tu negocio a largo plazo con éxito.

info.usworker.coop/civicrm/even...

Una foto de unas mujeres cooperativistas que paran juntas y sonrien. Texto dice celebramos el dia de la mujer con una feria de cooperativas, ¡únete al movimiento de inmigrantes en las cooperativas!

¡Este 8 de marzo estaremos celebrando la fuerza de la mujer cooperativista! 💜💜
Ven a establecer conexiones con otras cooperativas con la intención de mantener el contacto y crear relaciones #Cooperativismo

info.usworker.coop/civicrm/even...

flyer with clip art of workers and raised fists, text reads "labor neutrality: a new standard for co-ops, monday march 16 6:30 to 8:30pm, part of an academic course, open to the public"

In 2025, the USFWC membership voted unanimously to endorse labor neutrality as a standard for the co-op sector. If you're a cooperative, sign the pledge to labor neutrality & join us on Zoom March 16 to learn more ✊🏼 #UnionCoops #WorkerCoops #UnionStrong

info.usworker.coop/civicrm/even...

The Let Us Contribute Initiative was founded by incarcerated people & is supported by a coalition of partner organizations, working with lawmakers to create #WorkerCoops inside prisons in CA, which has the 2nd highest prison pop. after Texas.

Learn more: www.letuscontribute.org/issues

Incarcerated Worker Cooperatives Are a Promising Step to Improving the Criminal Legal System Evidence shows incarcerated worker co-ops build skills, develop social capital and assets, lower recidivism rates, and generate long-term, community-wide ben…

"Worker-owners also have more control over their labor, which improves their work experience, productivity, and human dignity. They earn annual dividends as owners in addition to a salary, helping them build assets & support their families." ✊🏼🛠️ #WorkerCoops

www.urban.org/urban-wire/i...

a graphic of a seedling struggling to grow with text over it that describes the root causes of disengagement. Two headshot photos of matt feinstein who has light skin short hair and wears a baseball cap and smiles and maureen darras who has light skin and long brown curly hair, wears a white collared shirt and smiles, both staff of the cooperative clinic. Text reads foundations of workplace democracy, member engagement wednesday march 11 on zoom 3pm eastern time.

Feeling burnt out with your co-op project and want to turn things around?

Join us on March 11 - We'll share a free mini guide to bring back the passion and equitable participation your group needs to be a successful team! #WorkerCoops

info.usworker.coop/civicrm/even...

Un imagen de Bad Bunny haciendo una caída de confianza sobre docenas de personas que le van a agarrar. Texto sobre Bad Bunny dice “mi cooperativa de trabajadores” y texto sobre las manos dice “redes y asociaciones que me respaldan”

Somos más fuertes cuando nos unimos.

Es la fundación del cooperativismo, y porque vimos que casi 3/4 de las #Cooperativas que encuestamos formaron parte de redes y asociaciones locales en 2024.

(Fuente: www.usworker.coop/censo/)

#BadBunny #BadBunnySuperBowl

An image of Heated Rivalry couple Shane and Ilya in hockey gear facing off on the ice. Text in front of them reads “worker cooperatives joining local networks for mutual support even if they are business competitors”

We’re stronger when we work together 💗 That’s the nature of cooperation, and why nearly 3/4 of #WorkerCoops and democratic workplaces we surveyed were members of local networks or associations in 2024.

(Source: usworker.coop/census/ )

#HeatedRivalry #Cooperation

Economic democracy is the path forward.

Support the growing number of democratic and worker-owned media organizations for a future where democracy isn't just a slogan.

An image of geese flying overhead and pine needles and text that reads state of the sector of worker cooperatives and democratic workplaces 2025, published by the united states federation of worker cooperatives and the democracy at work institute. Download your copy!

Let’s keep moving toward shared ownership, democratic governance, and workplaces built on values.

Read the full 2025 #WorkerCoop State of the Sector report to explore the data and stories shaping the future of work: www.usworker.coop/census/

A line graph shows a sharp increase of workforce size around 2020, text reads “the workforce has more than doubled”

Overlay text reads “we asked, why start a co-op? And worker-owners answered ‘the cooperative model fits our values. We see cooperative models as the future for workplaces. The work we do is about helping people sustain he work they love and the world needs, this work doesn’t happen in isolation’

Today, there are an estimated 1,300 #WorkerCoops and democratic workplaces employing 16k workers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2024 we identified 820 firms employing 13,520 workers, more than double the workforce counted just over a decade ago.

(source: www.usworker.coop/census/)

A line graph timeline that shows points increasing in value as time goes on, text reads “co-ops show 34% growth since 2020”

A bar graph with two bars, one reads 13% traditional businesses and the other reads 34% worker co-ops and text reads “according to the united states chamber of commerce, traditional small businesses only grew 13% since 2019”

#WorkerCoops and democratic workplaces are growing steadily and meaningfully. Since 2020, the sector has grown 34%, while traditional small businesses only grew 13% since 2019.

(source: www.usworker.coop/census/)

Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers: Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in America's Cities - National Employment Law Project The sheer breadth of the wage theft crisis demands urgent attention.

Wage theft is the largest form of theft in the United States. Billions are stolen from working people every year, and most of it is never recovered.

Workplace democracy is necessary to address this systemic issue and to create an economy accountable to the people.

The Story of Cooperative Veterinary Care YouTube video by UW Center for Coops

In the vet industry, conversions to #WorkerCoops are a uniquely powerful intervention to address crises - here's Cooperative Veterinary Care's story: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_N1...

Two group photos top and bottom of eleven vet professionals and office staff wear scrubs and professional clothes and smile. Text on the wall reads Spring Green Animal Hospital with a logo of a cat and dog.

"Vet professionals are at high risk of dying by suicide, due to occupational stressors, including burnout. Upon converting to a #WorkerCoop, Cooperative Vet Care became more competitive, more compassionate & could attract workers escaping corporate practices." 🐈 💗

www.usworker.coop/blog/coopera...

Rooted in resistance: The legacy and power of Black cooperatives | Black Future Co-Op Fund For generations, Black communities have turned to cooperative economics as a means of survival, resistance, and self-determination. We take this moment to reflect on the history of cooperatives, and t...

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

#BlackHistoryMonth

a group of people hold signs that say from newark to minneapolis end ice terror at night and red police lights flash

#Minneapolis cooperatives are shutting it down and showing up for their community in these times of heightened political repression. Read how #WorkerCoops participated in the general strike and how to support their mutual aid efforts:

www.usworker.coop/blog/minneap...

una foto de Bad Bunny durante los Grammys con la cara en sus palmas y texto que dice dueño sin un plan de sucesión de negocio y otra foto de Bad Bunny cargando tres premios con texto que dice trabajador-dueño al convertir el negocio a una cooperativa con sus empleados - etiquetas en los premios dicen seguridad laboral para todos, continuacion de legado, jubilación tranquilo

29% de las 242 cooperativas que encuestamos tuvo su origen en una conversión (cuando una empresa tradicional pasa a ser una #CooperativaDeTrabajadores).

Para más info sobre las cooperativas de trabajo en los EE.UU. y Puerto Rico, descarga el Estado del Sector de 2025: www.usworker.coop/censo/

A photo of Bad Bunny during the Grammy awards with his face in his palms and text reads “owner with no business succession plan” and a photo of him holding three Grammy awards and smiling with text that reads “owner after converting the business to a worker cooperative with ex employees” text over each awards reads “worker safety for all, legacy preservation, calm retirement”

29% of the 242 cooperatives we surveyed originated as a conversion, when a traditional business transitions ownership to a #WorkerCooperative.

For more info about conversions and worker co-ops in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, download our 2025 State of the Sector report: www.usworker.coop/census/

Next Economy MBA | Sustainable Business MBA for Purpose-Driven Leaders Join the Next Economy MBA — a 9-month online program for purpose-driven leaders building equitable, regenerative, and inclusive businesses. Learn sustainable strategy, innovative business models, and ...

Our friends LIFT economy are offering an inclusive, affordable MBA program for entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and aspiring changemakers. 📣

The Next Economy MBA fall cohort begins in March 2026. Learn more and sign up for a free intro at go.lifteconomy.com/nextmba

I subscribe to a lot of indie pubs, but here are five worker-owned companies I'll never abandon:

- @404media.co: essential technology!
- @rascal.news: essential tabletop!
- @aftermath.site: essential video games!
- @defector.com: essential everything!
- @hellgatenyc.com: essential New York!

Great info in here. We're proud to be part of adding to these numbers that have stories, people, hearts, democracy, and so much more behind them. Did you know that Massachusetts has the 3rd highest number of worker co-ops in the country? And Vermont has the eighth?
Thanks DAWI & @usworker.coop

Workforce Composition of the Sector Race and Ethnicity of Workers 42% White 37% Hispanic or Latine 13% Black or African American 5% Asian 1% American Indian or Alaska Native 1% Middle Eastern or North African <1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Gender Distribution 64% Women 30% Men 3% Nonbinary 2% Gender Nonconforming <1% Another Gender Worker Ownership Among Respondents Nearly eight in ten workers (79%) are member-owners, while the remaining 21% are non-owner employees. Leadership Representation Nearly three-quarters of the sector identified as women-led. Businesses were asked to self-identify their leadership representation, with the option to select more than one category. 72% Women-led 42% LGBTQIA+-led 30% Immigrant-led 22% Black-led 17% Other

@usworker.coop's State of the Sector reports on the democratic and worker-owned economy in 2025.

The report showcases a prevalence of diversity and inclusivity in the workforce and in leadership. Workplace democracy is actively empowering the marginalized with a voice in our economy.

Una imagen de un grupo de gansas volando y agujas de pino y texto que dice estado del sector de cooperativas de trabajadores y lugares de trabajo democráticos 2025 publicado por la federación de cooperativas de trabajadores de los estados unidos y el instituto de democracia en el trabajo, descarga tu copia.

¡Publicamos nuevos datos sobre las #Cooperativas! 📊
El Estado del Sector de 2025 ofrece una mirada actualizada sobre cómo están evolucionando los negocios de propiedad colectiva y gestionados democráticamente en EEUU y Puerto Rico.
institute.coop/resources/es...

An image of geese flying overhead and pine needles and text that reads state of the sector of worker cooperatives and democratic workplaces 2025, published by the united states federation of worker cooperatives and the democracy at work institute. Download your copy!

New #WorkerCoop data alert! 📊 The 2025 State of the Sector offers a snapshot of how worker-owned and democratically run businesses are doing across the US and Puerto Rico.
Download the report here: institute.coop/resources/20...

The NWCDC Presents - The Spring 2026 Build Your Caregiver Co-op Business Workshops Are you interested in a unique work opportunity? Are you a caregiver interested in opening a business with other caregivers? Join us for the NWCDC's Caregiver Co-op Builder Workshops! Learn from expe...

A virtual academy for starting a homecare cooperative is about to begin! Check it out with your potential co-owners here: lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/g557h...

Thanks to sustained advocacy, funding for worker co-ops was approved in 2014 by the New York City Council. Over 200 new worker-owned co-ops have been formed through the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative, creating over 1,000 jobs and providing economic opportunities for workers.

Places like New York City experience significant levels of poverty, undignified jobs, and low social mobility. Worker cooperatives are a solution. By empowering disadvantaged groups, the model offers a pathway to dignified employment, wealth building, and improved standards of living for workers.

Black type on a white background reads "paper" within the blue outline of a pencil that runs off to the right, loosely mirroring Pittsburgh's three rivers. Beneath the logo it reads "PITTSBURGH ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE-EMPOWERED REPORTING."

What if our local news was run by workers, and neighbors — accountable to our own working-class problems — instead of being both-sides-ing millionaire pet projects? We teamed up w/ our community and formed PAPER to do just that. Can you donate to support today?

OurPaperNow.org

For those that may be unfamiliar, a worker co-op is a worker-owned business that practices workplace democracy (one person, one vote). Workers have a say in compensation, working conditions, and the production of goods/services. Worker co-ops are becoming increasingly popular among working people.