On May 1st, the world celebrates International Workers’ Day. This holiday and its storied history are a powerful reminder of how workers coming together across language, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds can make the world a place where economic prosperity is shared by all.
In the US, unions banded together in federations as far back as the 1800s. They knew they couldn’t take on corporate monopolies alone.
Cooperative economics also has deep roots in this country. But worker co-ops didn’t federate nationally until our founding members formed the USFWC 20 years ago this month, in 2004.
I was part of that founding conference and I’ve seen how, for the last two decades, the USFWC has been the torchbearer for the co-op arm of the labor movement in the U.S.
Donate today in honor of our 20th anniversary.
In this short time, we have:
Rolled out vision and dental benefits for worker cooperatives, covering over 1,500 workers and their families since 2017.
Weaved worker co-ops into legislation like the federal CHIPS and Science Act and NYC’s small business development budget, bringing crucial support and funding to worker co-op ecosystems.
Launched the Co-op Clinic, our technical assistance and training program for worker co-ops.
Founded and then partnered with DAWI to capture trends across worker cooperatives and democratic workplaces in the U.S.
Hosted ten national conferences, bringing together worker-owners from across the country to learn and build power together, also partnering with DAWI for this flagship program since 2014.
But we’re not stopping here, John-Michael. With your support, we’re going to build economic power long into the future. Make a one-time gift of $20 in honor of our 20 years of building a powerful worker co-op federation in the US.
In cooperation,
Esteban Kelly
Executive Director
U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
