It Takes an Ecosystem: The Rise of Worker Cooperatives in the US

Summary

As the traditional job market deteriorates,  the number of worker cooperatives in the United States is growing as people seek more stable and rewarding work. An ecosystem of worker cooperative development organizations is emerging to accelerate this trend.

What’s a worker cooperative? A worker cooperative is a for-profit business that is owned and managed democratically by employees. Other types of cooperatives exist; for example, consumer cooperatives, which are owned by consumers (think credit unions and retail coops like REI), and purchasing cooperatives, which pool the purchasing power for a class of buyers (think Southern States for farmers). In a worker cooperative, the workers own the business, typically gaining admission through a buy-in, and they can cash out upon leaving in good standing.