By Kenzie Love
The Cleaning Co-op’s journey began in late 2022, born out of a desire to create a different kind of work environment. Cofounder Lulu Hernández was working for an exploitative cleaning company in Vancouver whose clients included the company for which another cofounder, Hayley Postlethwaite, was managing, an Airbnb. Postlethwaite saw an opportunity, and suggested the two of them team up, joining forces with a friend, Paulina Cruz, who had recently arrived in Canada from Mexico.
They started by cleaning together, simply wanting to share profits fairly. They didn’t initially set out to form a co-op. What they did know was what they didn’t want: hierarchy, exploitation, and a lack of support. They wanted an environment where people came first and everyone felt valued. The idea of a worker co-op emerged later, with guidance from Solid State Community Industries.
Postlethwaite explains, “We actually didn’t know we were forming a co-op. It happened very organically.”
A worker co-op, however, was the result, one that now employs over 20 people. The Co-op prioritizes its workers and clients. They understand that life happens – people get sick, have family obligations, or need flexibility.
“That comes first,” Postlethwaite emphasizes. “We don’t find that it interferes with business.”
They focus on providing quality work and accommodating their clients’ needs, whether they have disabilities or require last-minute cancellations. This approach extends to their team.
“We all feel space to live our lives without shame and not feel pressure,” Postlethwaite says. They strive to create an environment where everyone, especially newcomer and racialized women, can access fair wages and feel supported.
Looking ahead, the co-op has several key goals. They are working on a pathway to member ownership, as they currently have only the three founders as members. They are also exploring unionization to provide benefits to their team and ensuring they keep up with the living wage in Vancouver.
Postlethwaite stresses the importance of education within their co-op. Many of their team members are international students and newcomer women who may not be familiar with the co-op model. They are working to build trust and educate their team about the benefits of worker ownership.
When asked about advice for other co-ops, Postlethwaite emphasizes the importance of early conversations and seeking support.
“I would just say to start having all the conversations early,” she says. “I think that you can save a lot of time and money in the long run by having all of the meetings and getting a lot of input and tapping into all the resources.”
She acknowledges the initial guilt she felt stepping away from cleaning to focus on meetings and administration, but now realizes how crucial that time was.
“If we hadn’t taken the time to have the meetings or to have the talks and to show up to receive the support, we wouldn’t be where we are,” she says.