banner
vawc.bsky.social
@vawc.bsky.social
Is supporting worker buyouts in Massachusetts is on your to-do list?
#gocoop #CoopsYear #CooperativesBuildABetterWorld
November 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
There's nothing like working w/worker co-ops who get how meaningful it is to work on education, conversions and legislation together. Then they send you cool stuff to remember successes.
Thanks @flatironcoop.bsky.social and all our members for all you do.
#gocoop #workercooperatives #CoopsYear
November 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
DYK Oxbow Design Build Co-op impacts economic sustainability? In 2024, they:
• Employed 34 people directly & created 8 jobs indirectly thru their sourcing
• Total operations effect contributed $722K in tax revenue to all levels of government
• Spent $1,233 in other co-ops
#gocoop
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Urge committee chair Rep Carole Fiola to recommend Opportunity to Own (OTO) forward.
DYK:
• Worker co-ops themselves proposed and co-wrote OTO
• OTO got only positive feedback during testimony
• 80% of MA biz have no succession plan
Call Rep Carole Fiola today!
#CoopsYear
November 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
DYK Nubbernaut Studios is impacting environmental and economic sustainability? In 2024 they:
• Generated $184,000 in total economic output for MASS as their co-op transitioned from a sole proprietor
• Sourced 30% of their energy from solar
• Created $31,000 in tax revenue
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Support worker co-ops thru worker buyouts in Massachusetts! Close out Co-op Month with action:

30 seconds of your time will show the support of worker co-ops. Please call & leave a message for Representative Carole Fiola to recommend Opportunity To Own - 617.722.2430 #gocoop #CoopMonth #coopsyear
October 31, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Support worker buyouts! Call MA Rep Carole Fiola's office at 617-722-2430 and leave a message urging her to support Opportunity To Own H.503/S.305, reporting it out of committee to the next step.
"OTO" has already been heard and only received positive testimony. Thank you and #gocoop!
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
DYK @flatironcoop.bsky.social is impacting economic multipliers and food security? In 2024, Flat Iron:
• Created an additional full time job equivalent solely through their supply chain work
• Donated an estimated 952 meals through their Table 7 program
• Donated over $500
#CoopMonth
October 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
*Please take 1 minute to support workers making more worker co-ops*
Call Representative Carole Fiola's office at 617-722-2430 & urge her to support Opportunity To Own H.503/S.305. It's already been heard and only received positive testimony.
Questions: info@valleyworker.coop.
#CoopsYear #CoopMonth
October 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Collective Copies is addressing climate and sustainable infrastructure both locally and globally:
They used 415,000 sheets of 30% recycled paper in 2024, which conserved 300 trees and lowered CO2 emissions by 52,305 lbs. They also had 1,000 kWh of renewable energy usage in production operations.
October 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
We can't wait for the Annual Co-op Roundtable happening tomorrow (10/8) on WHMP kicking off #CoOpMonth Tune in from 8 am to 10 am to hear from Larisa Demos, our board chair and co-founder of @flatironcoop.bsky.social talk about VAWC, legislation that we're advocating for and more. #gocoop
October 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
We celebrate #NationalCoopMonth every October. This year's theme is #CooperativesBuildABetterWorld and co-ops from all the VAWC members to food co-ops, credit unions & farmer co-ops make this month so special.
Check out all that worker co-ops can do for you here: valleyworker.coop/members/
October 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
DYK @flatironcoop.bsky.social has uniquely high impact on economic multipliers & food security? In 2024, Flat Iron:
• Created 5 jobs for members *and* half of a full time job thru supply chain activities
• Donated an estimated 952 meals through their Table 7 program for the food insecure
September 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Opportunity To Own (H.503/S.305 in MA) is gaining traction!
OTO creates a pathway for worker co-op buyouts preserving jobs, business, and economic democracy for workers.

Please consider contacting your Massachusetts representative and senator today. Find them here:
malegislature.gov/Search/FindM...
September 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
DYK Collective Copies addresses needs for dignified jobs, financial security, & health issues?
Workermembers earned approx. 20% higher than national industry average while producing *four times* their hourly rate in revenue. Everyone, even part time workers, receive 100% health care coverage.
September 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Support Opportunity to Own! Nearly half of Mass. businesses are owned by boomers, most w/no succession plan:
Only 15% of businesses succeed to their kids &
80% of businesses don’t sell at all.
Worker co-ops have 5% more productivity & have higher survival rates
: valleyworker.coop/legisla.../o...
September 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
DYK the Compost Cooperative addresses climate issues locally and globally.
*By diverting compostable waste from the landfill, in 2024 they prevented 88.2 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere due to landfill emissions. This is roughly the equivalent of driving a car 225,000 miles or 180 barrels of oil.
September 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Today, we celebrate Labor Day and the power workers have to create equitable, safe, and democratic workplaces. Thank you to all those who fought and continue to fight for the rights and voice of labor.

#workerownedcoop #gocoop #laborday
#cooperativeeconomies #workercooperatives
September 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Support Opportunity To Own (H.503 & S.305 in MA)
The “Silver Tsunami” is a broad-based exit of business ownership and is threatening business infrastructure in Mass. Half of businesses are owned by Baby Boomers and 80% have no succession plan.
Find out more here:
valleyworker.coop/legislative-...
August 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The Compost Co-op is addressing economic & environmental issues locally & globally. They made $4,965 in charitable contributions, including 35 tons of compost donations, 72 volunteer hours, and subsidized services for 10 low-income households in the Greenfield area. #internationalyearofcooperatives
August 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
*Get to know Opportunity to Own*
We're working with legislators, co-ops, & support orgs across the state to pass this bill. We've supported ten conversions to worker co-operatives and this would make them an even easier, more well-known option.
Check out more here:
valleyworker.coop/legislative-...
August 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
DYK: In 2024, Pedal People kept 986,500 pounds of paper & 608,100 pounds of recyclable containers like plastic, metal, & glass out of landfills.
This impacts #sustainabledevelopmentgoals for clean water, sanitation, sustainability, & more. See the report here: valleyworker.coop/wp-content/u...
August 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Members of our board and staff testified before a MA committee for Opportunity to Own. Let's make worker buyouts more accessible in Massachusetts!
Below, Ethan Tupelo - VAWC board member, formerly of Pedal People and now visiting professor at Boston College - speaks about the strength of the bill.
July 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Did you know Pedal People impacts issues locally and globally? They created 49 jobs (28 members and 21 indirect jobs) all while paying its members 10.3% more than industry average?
This impacts the 8th #SustainableDevelopmentGoal Decent Work & Economic Growth #InternationalYearofCooperatives
July 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Our latest newsletter is out! Catch up about #opportunitytoown legislation in MA, the great work from our interns from the UMass Amherst Economics Department and save the date for our in-person event in September. #gocoop #workercooperatives #mapoli

mailchi.mp/3f1646c547c3...
July 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM