By Kenzie Love
Chris Nichols of Woodshop Workers Co-op in Vancouver concluded his term as CWCF’s BC/Yukon director at the AGM in November 2024. Nichols’s journey with CWCF began many years ago when he became aware of the organization as the apex body for worker co-ops in Canada. He was impressed by CWCF’s work and the people involved, and felt he could contribute to their mission, leading him to step in to fill a vacancy left by a departing board member in the summer of 2023.
During his time on the board, Nichols was involved in several key initiatives, including clarifying the role of CWCF’s BIPOC advisors and navigating the complexities of CEBA loan repayments for participating member co-ops. He also witnessed CWCF’s commitment to supporting the co-op sector through events, conferences, and by providing financial assistance and advice.
Nichols’ time on the board revealed to him that the worker co-op movement in Canada, outside of Quebec, is precarious but also full of energy. He sees Solid State Industries’ work helping create worker co-ops in predominantly BIPOC communities as an inspiring example of what the movement can achieve. However, he also emphasizes the need for greater critical mass to achieve substantive impacts.
Looking forward, Nichols strongly recommends that others in the worker co-op movement consider serving on the CWCF board. He believes that diverse representation from individuals with different backgrounds and experiences is crucial for the board’s effectiveness. While acknowledging the time constraints faced by many worker co-operators, he encourages those with the capacity to consider this valuable opportunity.