USFWC members join the REI workers union for a rally in New York to demand that REI negotiate in good faith with their workers and bargain a fair contract before the end of 2024.
Our Member Councils and Peer Networks are shaping the future of the worker co-op movement in the U.S. through offers and needs markets, collective education & learning and political advocacy for a worker-centered economy. Here are the recent highlights from some of our Councils & Networks:
- Union Co-ops Council – In May, union co-operators showed up to the REI union’s week of action in NYC and Berkeley, California! They are calling on REI’s management to commit to bargaining a fair contract by the end of the year.
- Policy & Advocacy Council – The advocacy updates included initiatives across the country including Guam, Ohio, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, federal work including advocacy for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SDGG) appropriations. The Exec Committee put out a call for volunteers, the Council discussed plans for an advocacy training at the Worker Co-op Conference, and also reviewed the advocacy survey currently open until July 15th.
- Worker Co-op Academies Peer Network – In our June meeting, we welcomed many new members interested in learning how to run a Co-op Academy. We discussed considerations for designing your academy, with a focus on language justice and technology as key factors affecting accessibility and diversity of academy participants. Thidi from Worcester Roots shared lessons in regards to marketing, outreach, and post-academy continued support. Our next meeting will focus on conflict – register here! We’ll be discussing how to prepare coops for conflict, and strategies for navigating conflict that typically comes up in a cooperative setting.
Check our events calendar to sign up for our next Member Council and Peer Network meetings!
