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Read the 2023 State of the Sector Report
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Support the worker co-op movement
The only grassroots membership organization for worker cooperatives and democratic workplaces
Our mission is to build a thriving ecosystem for worker-owned and controlled businesses and their cooperative leaders to power movements for racial justice and economic democracy.
As a grassroots member-led movement, our membership is our power and our strength.
The USFWC welcomes membership from worker cooperatives, other democratic workplaces, cooperative developers, and allied organizations.
WHAT WE DO
Technical Assistance
The Co-op Clinic is our technical assistance and training program providing culturally-affirming services to worker cooperatives and traditional businesses converting to worker-ownership.
Advocacy
The USFWC represents the interests of worker cooperatives with federal agencies and elected officials. In addition, our staff and Board support national, state, and local advocacy initiatives.
Health
Healthcare is a human right. The USFWC explores ways to effect systematic change for small businesses everywhere, while also offering a robust Worker Benefits program to provide more affordable health benefits to our members.
Education and Engagement
The USFWC provides education about the worker co-ops and convenes cooperators through our Member Councils and Peer Networks.
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"I couldn’t believe I was somewhere where I was valued and that the work I was putting in actually mattered"
Emma Le, A Slice of New York Pizza
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"Worker cooperatives can be part of the solution in building a working class and the middle class in this country."
Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17)
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"The physical nature of the work lends itself to goal-setting and tangible achievements, which I think provides a really strong foundation for humor, love, and genuine connection to shine through as we all build this business together."
Cam McCuskey, Root Volume
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"I believe in liberation and I think that business-as-usual operations don’t win toward liberation at all."
LaTierra Piphus, Womxnist Liberation Collaborative
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"The company’s focus on a healthy work culture, as emphasized in a cooperative, really aligned with my own values"
Casey Nakamura, SymbiOp
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"Working Class Desire Is For More Control And Even To Own The Place You Work"
The Drivers Cooperative Co-Founder Erik Forman
News from the USFWC
2025 International Tours this fall: Cooperatives in Cuba and Honduras
The U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives is proud to co-sponsor …
Federal Cuts Hit Co-op Funding—Help USFWC Members Fight Back
Federal spending has been slashed, and funding destined for cooperatives …
Kelly Urges UN to Recognize Cooperatives as Key Actors in a Fair, Sustainable Future
USFWC Director Calls On United Nations to Explicitly Recognize Cooperatives …
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cannabis Co-ops Peer Network | Reunión de la Red de Cooperativas de Cannabis on Thursday, June 19, 2025 | |
Union Co-ops Council Meeting | Llamada Pública del Consejo de Cooperativas y Sindicatos on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | |
Webinar para Iniciar tu Cooperativa | Worker Co-op Startup Webinar on Monday, June 30, 2025 |
Worker Co-ops in the News
Highlights from our Member Councils and Peer Networks – March 2025
Government Relations Panel: Strengthening Business and Entrepreneurship Through Worker Cooperatives
Worker co-ops: Own your digital marketing, build your client base
Making Cannabis Cooperative: community ownership and racial justice in the cannabis industry
Highlights from our Member Councils and Peer Networks – June 2024
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Member Highlight
Quetzal Community Real Estate
In the midst of a nationwide affordable housing crisis, Quetzal Community Real Estate is demonstrating that the housing industry can deliver affordable housing, worker power, and democratic community control—by setting aside the traditional landlord-tenant roles and operating on a human-to-human level.
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Member Highlight
Rainbow Grocery
A worker-owned grocery story in San Francisco’s Mission District, offering organic and locally sourced products. Rainbow Grocery is also a resource for our community to exchange information about the health and sustainability of the foods we eat.
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Member Highlight
Opportunity Threads
Worker-owners at Opportunity Threads, an industrial-scale custom sewing and fabric recycling worker co-op, are keeping the Southern textile economy local and environmentally sustainable. They form part of a network of cooperatives developed by the Industrial Commons in North Carolina.