GEO 8: Worker Cooperative Development Models

Grassroots Economics Organizing's latest issue brings perspectives from worker cooperative organizers across the country.

"Development Models and Approaches," summarizes GEO's understanding of the variety of models and strategies that exist for developing worker cooperatives in the U.S. We have constructed a preliminary table to illustrate the variety of models and their major components.

"Arizmendi Association Cooperative Development Model," by Joe Marraffino, provides specific details about how the worker-co-op led Arizmendi Association development model in the Bay Area works.

"The Connecticut Cooperative Business Academy Pilot Project," by the CCBA Steering Committee, describes a unique new initiative to develop co-ops which address rural poverty in Connecticut through both a structured eight month program and the creation of a peer support network.

"The Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives Development Model: Questions and Working Solutions," by Adam Trott, challenges readers to focus on ways to develop a strong ownership culture in worker cooperatives, through development projects designed and funded by other worker owners.

"WAGES Model and the Value of Partnerships" by Hilary Abell replies to a set of questions about their model and their recent exploration with corporate sponsorships.

"Legal Entity Options for Worker Cooperatives," by Edward W. De Barbieri & Brian Glick, is excerpted from a forthcoming legal guide on forming worker cooperatives. The authors describe two major legal structures, the LLC and the worker cooperative corporation, for constituting worker cooperatives, and compare and contrast the two.

"The Center for Family Life: Tackling Poverty and Social Isolation in Brooklyn with Worker Cooperatives" by Vanessa Bransburg, describes how the Center for Family Life in Brooklyn, got into the business of helping low-income immigrants in their neighborhood develop worker cooperative.

"Labor Unions And Worker Co-Op Development" by the USFWC UnionCo-ops Committee, is a short piece reminding us of the role unions have played throughout history in creating and supporting worker cooperatives.

"Transitioning a Private Business to Worker Cooperatives - A Viable Community Development Tool" by Roy Messing, of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center , describes using worker co-op development in succession planning.

"Worker Co-ops in Long Term Care," by Margaret Bau, challenges us to rethink the viability of worker ownership alone as a strategy to increase the quality of home care jobs and services.