CWCF is pleased to announce that it is taking a series of measures to supports its members with the challenges many of them are facing resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures CWCF is taking include committing $165,000 to the Tenacity Works investment fund for patient capital investments of up to $20,000 per co-op; increasing by $25,000 the budget for the Technical Assistance grant program, which will provide grants of up to $2,000 for co-ops to work on worker co-op survival planning; and offering Solidarity dues of $10 to worker co-op members for the 2019-2020 year.
CWCF Executive Director Hazel Corcoran says these steps are important to ensure the sustainability of the Federation’s members going forward.
“It’s become clear in recent weeks that many worker co-operatives will need support to recover or continue their operations during and after the pandemic,” says Corcoran. “Everyone is living in significant uncertainty. By taking these actions, CWCF is demonstrating to its members that we are committed to their survival and are here for them during these extraordinarily challenging times.”
More information and applications for both the Tenacity Works fund and the Technical Assistance program are available on CWCF’s website. Members wishing to pay the reduced dues rate are asked to contact Communications and Member Services Manager Kaye Grant at communications@canadianworker.coop.
CWCF is in the process of implementing a “Solidarity Shopping” listing on its website to enable easier access to member products and services during this time. If your co-op would like to be included on this list, please email Communications and Executive Assistant Kenzie Love at admin@canadianworker.coop with your co-op’s name, location, website, and instructions for ordering.