What’s a Co-Op?
What is a Worker Cooperative?
Worker Cooperatives are a form of business ownership where the employees either in a for-profit or non-profit enterprise directly own and control the business on a democratic basis of “one person, one vote.”
Typically all workers, including management, are eligible to be worker-owners after working for a certain period of time and paying a membership fee.
Cooperatives are based on the cooperative values of “self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality and equity” and the seven cooperative principles.
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
More information about co-ops.
GO-COOP
Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE)
US Federation of Worker’s Cooperatives
UN proclaims 2012 International Year of Co-operatives
On 18 December 2009, the United Nations proclaimed 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives. By doing so, the UN recognized that the co-operative business model is a major factor in realizing economic and social development. It also now calls on governments, international institutions, co-operatives and other stakeholders to support the development and growth of co-operatives worldwide.
