by Hazel Corcoran, CWCF Executive Director Over 200 people attended the hybrid Congress of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) in Calgary earlier this week, with the theme of “Co-operation at the Crossroads”. Lessons learned during the pandemic were shared in a panel session, including in the worker co–op sector, as described here. Posters … Successful CMC Congress in Calgary, June 14-16
By Kenzie Love The problems with the so-called “gig economy”, in which workers for Uber and other platforms carry all the responsibilities of being an employee while receiving none of the benefits, have been well-documented. The desire for an alternative to the enormous power of big tech is also readily apparent. But many of the … Platform Co-ops Offer an Alternative to Big Tech’s Monopolies
When the founders of Together We’re Bitter opened shop six years ago in Kitchener, Ontario, they wanted to create something that would make their surrounding community, in cofounder Alex Szaflarska’s words, “a little bit more interesting and a little bit more fun.” And what better way to do that, they concluded, than a co-operative craft … Together We’re Bitter (TWB) Crafts Community – Kenzie Love
The Solidarity Economy Principles and practices to build the Solidarity Economy Movement have recently developed and the team is currently in consultation to garner feedback from players in the Solidarity Economy Movement. Here is a bit of information from the developers: Why did we do this? Tool to build unity & shared culture around solidarity … Solidarity Economy Principles
October 6, 12 – 1 pm ET PowerPoint slides from the webinar are available below. Prof. Sonja Novkovic of Saint Mary’s University presented on indivisible reserves in worker co-ops, with CWCF’s executive director Hazel Corcoran speaking to CWCF’s position on indivisible reserves (formulated after member consultations) as well as how to include indivisible reserves into … Webinar on Indivisible Reserves in Worker Co-ops
The Canadian Worker Co-op Federation (CWCF) offers grants to assist worker co-ops that are, or agree to become, members of CWCF to hire a co-op developer or other professional to help with a challenge that the co-op is facing. Assistance can be sought in any area needed such as marketing, financial administration, governance, conflict resolution, … Worker Co-ops Benefit From Technical Assistance Grants
1worker1vote is building a national network of hybrid, shared ownership, regional and municipal ecosystems starting with unionized worker-owned cooperative businesses to overcome structural inequalities of opportunity, mobility, and income. Building pathways out of poverty leading to pathways toward prosperity. A union co-op is a for-profit business owned and directed by workers. This business model utilizes … 1worker1vote
When Andrew Loveland started working for Planet Bean in Guelph, Ontario, three years ago, he didn’t know much about worker co-ops. But he had a passion for coffee and an interest in ensuring it was Fairtrade Certified. If those were the things that got him to join Planet Bean, however, it was the worker … Planet Bean Finds Success With New Model
Co-operation between co-ops is one of the co-op movement’s seven principles, and with that in mind we’ve developed a simple way to bring this principle to life: Solidarity Shopping. Modeled on the initiative developed by the US Federation of Worker Co-ops, CWCF has established a one-stop shopping site that we encourage all of our … Shop in Solidarity
Yellowknife Glass Recyclers converted to an employee-owned co-op in July 2006 to take advantage of growing popularity of high-quality recycled glassware and the opening of a glass distribution retail store. Read more…