Our Member Councils and Peer Networks are shaping the future of the worker co-op movement in the U.S. Here are the latest highlights from some of our Councils & Networks:
- The Union Co-ops Council – 200 USFWC members, staff, co-op and labor organizers connected to learn from one another at the Union Coops Symposium in October. At the USFWC Annual Member Meeting the council introduced a resolution to endorse co-op labor neutrality which passed unanimously! This decision reflects how we can build power for our movement as a Federation, setting standards for the cooperative sector to support organizing workers. The UCC and its task forces continue to meet and grow engagement from co-ops and unions. USFWC Members are invited to join the Union Co-ops Council here!
- This year, the Policy & Advocacy Council focused on how the co-op sector is being affected by federal attacks, especially the Rural Co-op Development Grant (RCDG) reductions, and how the USFWC can support the field moving forward. Some ideas so far: track and place experts and future advocacy beyond RCDG, continued discussion on process and criteria for promoting worker cooperatives at the city level via Co-op Cities initiative and a deep dive conversation on Opportunity to Own bills which are gaining traction across the country – sign up for the next Policy & Advocacy call on our events page for more of these discussions in 2026!
- The Racial and Economic Justice Council has been discussing how cooperative members in the US have acted in solidarity with Gaza over the past two years, both within their cooperatives and outside them, and what obstacles they’ve encountered. The council is seeking USFWC member leaders to activate this space into action; email sasha@usworker.coop to get involved in 2026!
- This year, The Immigrant Co-ops Council (MIC in Spanish) was focused on strengthening their network and equipping members with information and strategies to respond to escalating immigration enforcement activities, as this remains the most pressing concern for many immigrant-led co-ops. The council is working to organize the different types of resources for co-ops that can be shared with the wider USFWC membership. MIC participants are also planning a virtual co-op fair, to take place in early 2026. The event will be an opportunity for immigrant-led cooperatives in the USFWC membership to network, promote their businesses, share offers and needs, and connect with other groups in their region or industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen connections; USFWC members can email sasha@usworker.coop to get involved in 2026. This group meets in Spanish only for the moment.
- The Ops and HR Peer Network email list has been active this year! Discussions and resource sharing in the group lead to a complete virtual workshop on co-op Operations and HR policies and practices this fall as part of the Co-op Clinic’s Weathering the Storms series. We’re keeping the conversation going online to further strengthen ties between cooperators holding administrative duties for their co-ops across geographies and industries. Email finance@usworker.coop to join the email list in the new year!
- This year, the Co-op Academies Peer Network met quarterly to discuss implementing language justice, preparing coops for conflict, strategies for marketing and the possibilities and limitations of offering an academy to build and sustain a local cooperative ecosystem. Our August meeting shined a special spotlight on the history and best practices of Cleveland Owns’ co-op academy. Improve your co-op academy by learning from others in this group – email academies-subscribe@lists.usworker.coop to join the email list, and reach out to maureen@usworker.coop with any questions.
Get involved in the new year! Check our events calendar to sign up for upcoming Member Council and Peer Network meetings.
