The Cooperative Economy
@cooperatives.bsky.social
Advocating for a democratic, equitable, and inclusive world through cooperatives, worker ownership, unions, mutual aid, and workplace democracy. 💜
People Above Profit ✊🏽 #EconomicDemocracy 🌲🌲
usworker.coop | ncbaclusa.coop | workers.coop | ica.coop
People Above Profit ✊🏽 #EconomicDemocracy 🌲🌲
usworker.coop | ncbaclusa.coop | workers.coop | ica.coop
Pinned
In a world where exploitative billionaires and corporate interests seek to increase their authority over us, it is now more important than ever to support our community and worker-owned businesses, to build solidarity and support networks so that everyone can live fine and free.
go.bsky.app/UsAcPoV
go.bsky.app/UsAcPoV
Have hope that the new year shall be an improvement on the previous one, and stay safe.
January 1, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Have hope that the new year shall be an improvement on the previous one, and stay safe.
Our most liked post of 2025 references a Harvard study that covers the potential effects of worker ownership on wealth inequality.
If you're concerned about the growing concentration of wealth and power, worker ownership over the means of production is particularly effective in addressing this.
If you're concerned about the growing concentration of wealth and power, worker ownership over the means of production is particularly effective in addressing this.
A study using government data finds that if all businesses became 30% employee-owned, the bottom 90% would experience significant gains in wealth, with much of the benefits going to marginalized groups.
If we're serious about addressing wealth inequality, worker ownership must be at the forefront.
If we're serious about addressing wealth inequality, worker ownership must be at the forefront.
Employee Ownership and Wealth Inequality: A Path to Reducing Wealth Concentration
This paper examines the impact of an economy-wide shift to broad-based employee ownership on wealth concentration in the United States. Relying on government da
papers.ssrn.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Our most liked post of 2025 references a Harvard study that covers the potential effects of worker ownership on wealth inequality.
If you're concerned about the growing concentration of wealth and power, worker ownership over the means of production is particularly effective in addressing this.
If you're concerned about the growing concentration of wealth and power, worker ownership over the means of production is particularly effective in addressing this.
Worker ownership empowers marginalized workers, particularly in exploitative and low-wage industries like home care and cleaning. Unlike traditional companies where workers lack agency, co-ops grant them direct control over their jobs and deliver the dignity they deserve.
Beloved Community Incubator: Organizing cooperatives, organizing the community | Seed Commons
Building power for excluded workers in Washington, DC
seedcommons.org
December 23, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Worker ownership empowers marginalized workers, particularly in exploitative and low-wage industries like home care and cleaning. Unlike traditional companies where workers lack agency, co-ops grant them direct control over their jobs and deliver the dignity they deserve.
As inequality continues to increase, the wealthy gain more control over society. They don't want you to know that we can ever do things differently. But we can. Many already are.
Thank you to @moreperfectunion.bsky.social for covering cooperativism in Italy, an existing and working alternative.
Thank you to @moreperfectunion.bsky.social for covering cooperativism in Italy, an existing and working alternative.
We Found A Solution To America's Inequality. It's Not Where You'd Expect.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
As inequality continues to increase, the wealthy gain more control over society. They don't want you to know that we can ever do things differently. But we can. Many already are.
Thank you to @moreperfectunion.bsky.social for covering cooperativism in Italy, an existing and working alternative.
Thank you to @moreperfectunion.bsky.social for covering cooperativism in Italy, an existing and working alternative.
Cooperatives empower people, especially the marginalized and forgotten. It's a model addressing the injustices working people face under authoritarian economics.
If you desire a more inclusive planet, support co-ops where you can and talk about them with people you know. It makes a difference.
If you desire a more inclusive planet, support co-ops where you can and talk about them with people you know. It makes a difference.
December 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Cooperatives empower people, especially the marginalized and forgotten. It's a model addressing the injustices working people face under authoritarian economics.
If you desire a more inclusive planet, support co-ops where you can and talk about them with people you know. It makes a difference.
If you desire a more inclusive planet, support co-ops where you can and talk about them with people you know. It makes a difference.
One reason why workers often prefer the cooperative business model is the focus on protecting jobs. Studies show that co-ops prioritize employment stability, even in a recession. This translates to higher worker retention and less fear of layoffs, contributing to a more secure and engaged workforce.
December 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
One reason why workers often prefer the cooperative business model is the focus on protecting jobs. Studies show that co-ops prioritize employment stability, even in a recession. This translates to higher worker retention and less fear of layoffs, contributing to a more secure and engaged workforce.
People are actively building a more democratic and inclusive economy. Thanks to BRED in Baltimore, cooperative businesses are being established and supported, providing empowering and dignified jobs to working people.
There is an alternative to the status quo. It's called economic democracy.
There is an alternative to the status quo. It's called economic democracy.
BRED: Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy
A worker-led intervention to catalyze a more cooperative economy in Baltimore and beyond.
baltimoreroundtable.org
November 28, 2025 at 10:20 PM
People are actively building a more democratic and inclusive economy. Thanks to BRED in Baltimore, cooperative businesses are being established and supported, providing empowering and dignified jobs to working people.
There is an alternative to the status quo. It's called economic democracy.
There is an alternative to the status quo. It's called economic democracy.
Community-based enterprises generate wealth for communities. Profits are reinvested to create a wealth multiplier effect, allowing for the improvement of essential services like transportation, housing, education, and healthcare for everyone.
This is what inclusive economics looks like.
This is what inclusive economics looks like.
Community-Based Enterprises: Driving Local Impact and Growth
Explore community based enterprises: what they are, how they empower communities, and their impact on local economies. Build a sustainable future.
www.umrelief.org
November 23, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Community-based enterprises generate wealth for communities. Profits are reinvested to create a wealth multiplier effect, allowing for the improvement of essential services like transportation, housing, education, and healthcare for everyone.
This is what inclusive economics looks like.
This is what inclusive economics looks like.
Reminder that this study exists.
Some people make the claim that worker-owned organizations are inefficient. It's important to fact-check such statements with existing empirical research.
Empiricism has been the pathway to a better world for humanity for centuries. And it still is.
Some people make the claim that worker-owned organizations are inefficient. It's important to fact-check such statements with existing empirical research.
Empiricism has been the pathway to a better world for humanity for centuries. And it still is.
A 2016 metastudy of 102 samples representing 56,984 firms finds that employee ownership is positively associated with productivity.
These findings align with a growing body of research showing that businesses owned by their workers tend to be more productive than other companies.
These findings align with a growing body of research showing that businesses owned by their workers tend to be more productive than other companies.
Employee ownership and firm performance: a meta‐analysis
Employee ownership has been an area of significant practitioner and academic interest for the past four decades. Yet, empirical results on the relationship between employee ownership and firm perform....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reminder that this study exists.
Some people make the claim that worker-owned organizations are inefficient. It's important to fact-check such statements with existing empirical research.
Empiricism has been the pathway to a better world for humanity for centuries. And it still is.
Some people make the claim that worker-owned organizations are inefficient. It's important to fact-check such statements with existing empirical research.
Empiricism has been the pathway to a better world for humanity for centuries. And it still is.
Inclusivity is key to democracy. This means equal voting rights in our politics, but it can't end there. The economy also affects us in many ways.
What does inclusivity mean in the context of economics? It means inclusivity in ownership, the vehicle of economic power. It means worker ownership.
What does inclusivity mean in the context of economics? It means inclusivity in ownership, the vehicle of economic power. It means worker ownership.
November 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Inclusivity is key to democracy. This means equal voting rights in our politics, but it can't end there. The economy also affects us in many ways.
What does inclusivity mean in the context of economics? It means inclusivity in ownership, the vehicle of economic power. It means worker ownership.
What does inclusivity mean in the context of economics? It means inclusivity in ownership, the vehicle of economic power. It means worker ownership.
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
On the podcast! Hayley Postlethwaite joins us to talk about The Cleaning Coop and how the cooperative creates safe, fairly paid and equitable work with and for immigrant and racialized workers. tiny.cc/xctu001 @cooperatives.bsky.social @chf.bc.ca
Cooperative provides safe, equitable, fairly-paid work for cleaners
Podcast Episode · Redeye · 2025-11-08 · 12m
tiny.cc
November 10, 2025 at 12:13 AM
On the podcast! Hayley Postlethwaite joins us to talk about The Cleaning Coop and how the cooperative creates safe, fairly paid and equitable work with and for immigrant and racialized workers. tiny.cc/xctu001 @cooperatives.bsky.social @chf.bc.ca
Worker ownership is proven to create far more equitable pay ratios. The average for worker-owned cooperatives in the United States is 2-to-1.
Unfortunately, it seems like almost no one really brings this up as the alternative. That is why we must continue to talk about it so that awareness expands.
Unfortunately, it seems like almost no one really brings this up as the alternative. That is why we must continue to talk about it so that awareness expands.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made $95.8 million in 2024.
The median barista made just $14,674.
That's a 6,666-to-1 CEO-to-worker pay ratio.
The largest of all S&P 500 companies.
Every single worker should walk out.
Americans deserve a livable wage. Enough!
The median barista made just $14,674.
That's a 6,666-to-1 CEO-to-worker pay ratio.
The largest of all S&P 500 companies.
Every single worker should walk out.
Americans deserve a livable wage. Enough!
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Worker ownership is proven to create far more equitable pay ratios. The average for worker-owned cooperatives in the United States is 2-to-1.
Unfortunately, it seems like almost no one really brings this up as the alternative. That is why we must continue to talk about it so that awareness expands.
Unfortunately, it seems like almost no one really brings this up as the alternative. That is why we must continue to talk about it so that awareness expands.
𝘐𝘯 2024, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 10% 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 66% 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 50% 𝘩𝘢𝘥 2.5%.
𝘚𝘰, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭.
𝘚𝘰, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭.
9 Advantages of the Cooperative Business Model | NCBA CLUS
We look at the purpose of a cooperative, how ownerships and control work within co-ops, and their advantages. To learn more, contact us!
ncbaclusa.coop
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM
𝘐𝘯 2024, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 10% 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 66% 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 50% 𝘩𝘢𝘥 2.5%.
𝘚𝘰, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭.
𝘚𝘰, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭.
Cooperatives are gaining momentum as communities realize their potential for economic empowerment.
The long-established Blue Heron Bakery in Washington recently transitioned into a community-owned cooperative. Since converting, the business added nearly 25% more jobs and increased its sales by 36%.
The long-established Blue Heron Bakery in Washington recently transitioned into a community-owned cooperative. Since converting, the business added nearly 25% more jobs and increased its sales by 36%.
Momentum Builds: Cities Declare 2025 The Year Of Co-Ops – U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
www.usworker.coop
November 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Cooperatives are gaining momentum as communities realize their potential for economic empowerment.
The long-established Blue Heron Bakery in Washington recently transitioned into a community-owned cooperative. Since converting, the business added nearly 25% more jobs and increased its sales by 36%.
The long-established Blue Heron Bakery in Washington recently transitioned into a community-owned cooperative. Since converting, the business added nearly 25% more jobs and increased its sales by 36%.
Thank you to the Fort Collins Food Co-op in Colorado for offering support to those affected by the SNAP outage. The co-op is accepting monetary and food donations to provide for those in need.
www.instagram.com/fortcollinsf...
www.instagram.com/fortcollinsf...
October 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Thank you to the Fort Collins Food Co-op in Colorado for offering support to those affected by the SNAP outage. The co-op is accepting monetary and food donations to provide for those in need.
www.instagram.com/fortcollinsf...
www.instagram.com/fortcollinsf...
10,000+ social co-ops in Italy provide democratized care to children, the poor, and the disabled/elderly. Both care workers and care recipients participate in decision-making and shape the services provided.
A better kind of care is possible. One that is democratic and places people above profit.
A better kind of care is possible. One that is democratic and places people above profit.
Ownership Matters
Web site created using create-react-app
ownershipmatters.net
October 28, 2025 at 7:49 PM
10,000+ social co-ops in Italy provide democratized care to children, the poor, and the disabled/elderly. Both care workers and care recipients participate in decision-making and shape the services provided.
A better kind of care is possible. One that is democratic and places people above profit.
A better kind of care is possible. One that is democratic and places people above profit.
Myth: Worker ownership is unstable and inefficient.
Reality: Worker-owned businesses outperform traditional companies.
employeeownership.co.uk/Site/Site/co...
Reality: Worker-owned businesses outperform traditional companies.
employeeownership.co.uk/Site/Site/co...
October 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Myth: Worker ownership is unstable and inefficient.
Reality: Worker-owned businesses outperform traditional companies.
employeeownership.co.uk/Site/Site/co...
Reality: Worker-owned businesses outperform traditional companies.
employeeownership.co.uk/Site/Site/co...
Economic democracy provides the foundation for a more equitable distribution of wealth. This directly safeguards political democracy by limiting the power of concentrated wealth.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
October 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Economic democracy provides the foundation for a more equitable distribution of wealth. This directly safeguards political democracy by limiting the power of concentrated wealth.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
We may be D.C.’s first worker-led nonprofit newsroom. But we’re part of a larger system of cooperative organizations working to build a better world.
Last week, one of our co-founders spoke at a gathering of these businesses, from credit unions to neighborhood grocers.
What she's bringing back:
Last week, one of our co-founders spoke at a gathering of these businesses, from credit unions to neighborhood grocers.
What she's bringing back:
This moment isn’t normal, but here’s our glimmer of hope
Lessons from a cooperative businesses conference, and being a part of a larger movement
51st.news
October 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
We may be D.C.’s first worker-led nonprofit newsroom. But we’re part of a larger system of cooperative organizations working to build a better world.
Last week, one of our co-founders spoke at a gathering of these businesses, from credit unions to neighborhood grocers.
What she's bringing back:
Last week, one of our co-founders spoke at a gathering of these businesses, from credit unions to neighborhood grocers.
What she's bringing back:
How would your life change if you made $8,241 more per year? Think about the difference it could make for working people living in poverty.
Worker cooperatives distribute thousands in patronage (profit-sharing) to their workers, which is in addition to their wages. It makes a difference.
Worker cooperatives distribute thousands in patronage (profit-sharing) to their workers, which is in addition to their wages. It makes a difference.
October 13, 2025 at 8:57 PM
How would your life change if you made $8,241 more per year? Think about the difference it could make for working people living in poverty.
Worker cooperatives distribute thousands in patronage (profit-sharing) to their workers, which is in addition to their wages. It makes a difference.
Worker cooperatives distribute thousands in patronage (profit-sharing) to their workers, which is in addition to their wages. It makes a difference.
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
Our team and fellow food actors traveled to Porter, Maine for our sixth Community Workday at LaFinca Cooperative! We helped the worker-owned cooperative with weeding and prepping beds while building relationships with each other and the land.
October 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Our team and fellow food actors traveled to Porter, Maine for our sixth Community Workday at LaFinca Cooperative! We helped the worker-owned cooperative with weeding and prepping beds while building relationships with each other and the land.
Equal Exchange is a worker-owned cooperative that works directly with farmer cooperatives to create a more democratic and equitable supply chain.
The co-op provides an alternative to the corporate-based system and shows us that cooperative economics is viable and worker empowerment is possible.
The co-op provides an alternative to the corporate-based system and shows us that cooperative economics is viable and worker empowerment is possible.
Fairly Traded Coffee, Chocolate, Tea & Snacks
We offer a wide range of fair trade & organic coffee, chocolate, tea, cocoa and snacks direct from small-scale farmers and direct to your door.
shop.equalexchange.coop
October 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Equal Exchange is a worker-owned cooperative that works directly with farmer cooperatives to create a more democratic and equitable supply chain.
The co-op provides an alternative to the corporate-based system and shows us that cooperative economics is viable and worker empowerment is possible.
The co-op provides an alternative to the corporate-based system and shows us that cooperative economics is viable and worker empowerment is possible.
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
Check out our new series of spotlights on Bay Area worker coops! In our first installment, @soleilho.com drops in on the 50-year-old Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in SF to find out what makes it work — and to hear some tasty lore (including a fistfight over what color to paint the store building! 👀)
Bay Area Co-ops: ‘A Bunch of Weirdos’ Run a Grocery Store
Staff at San Francisco’s Rainbow Grocery reflect on collectivity, retail personhood, and an aesthetic disagreement that ended in a fistfight.
www.coyotemedia.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Check out our new series of spotlights on Bay Area worker coops! In our first installment, @soleilho.com drops in on the 50-year-old Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in SF to find out what makes it work — and to hear some tasty lore (including a fistfight over what color to paint the store building! 👀)
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
October is National Co-op Month AND 2025 is the UN "International Year of Cooperatives"!
Since Wraith Games is a worker co-op, we figured the best way to celebrate would be to share some info about co-ops and why they're rad!
Ya'll ready for a thread?
Since Wraith Games is a worker co-op, we figured the best way to celebrate would be to share some info about co-ops and why they're rad!
Ya'll ready for a thread?
October 5, 2025 at 8:19 PM
October is National Co-op Month AND 2025 is the UN "International Year of Cooperatives"!
Since Wraith Games is a worker co-op, we figured the best way to celebrate would be to share some info about co-ops and why they're rad!
Ya'll ready for a thread?
Since Wraith Games is a worker co-op, we figured the best way to celebrate would be to share some info about co-ops and why they're rad!
Ya'll ready for a thread?
Reposted by The Cooperative Economy
Our friends at Carolina Common Enterprise are transitioning from a traditional nonprofit to a worker self-managed cooperative! Pitch in to support the future of cooperative ecosystem development in the Carolinas. givebutter.com/c/CCEBetterW...
Building Cooperatives for a New World
Carolina Common Enterprise Needs You — Help Us Relaunch!
givebutter.com
October 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Our friends at Carolina Common Enterprise are transitioning from a traditional nonprofit to a worker self-managed cooperative! Pitch in to support the future of cooperative ecosystem development in the Carolinas. givebutter.com/c/CCEBetterW...