A worker-owned cooperative is both a radically unique and simultaneously plainly obvious kind of business: it is the embodiment of true democracy, taking shape in the workplace. In a worker co-op, each person who works at the company owns one equal share of the company and has one democratic voice in how it’s governed. Worker[…]
Powerful and thoughtful reasons that cooperatives can change our communities, our economy, and our lives.
The ICA Group is the oldest national organization dedicated to the development of worker cooperatives. They focus on converting traditional businesses to cooperatives, forming ESOPS (employee-owned stock option plans), promoting worker-cooperative business development, and other methods of building worker-ownership. Over the last two years, TESA has been supporting the ICA Group in a long-term process[…]
Plus: Free, downloadable co-op posters.
For the last 18 months, we at the TESA Collective have been collaborating with WomenVenture, an SBA-designated Women’s Business Center focused on helping women start and grow profitable and sustainable businesses. Their focus is to train entrepreneurs, advise businesses, provide loans, and create jobs in Minnesota. We have been working to support the development of[…]
There’s a new major victory for the cooperative movement: the city of Berkeley, California recently threw its support behind worker co-ops as a way to combat economic inequality and help the city’s local economy flourish. According to the East Bay Express: The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously on Fe.26 to include co-ops in the city’s small-business[…]
The worker cooperative movement is flourishing. That’s because there’s a growing understanding that the economy and the businesses we work in would fair better if they were owned and run by the people. But starting a worker co-op is difficult, and the process can be daunting. That’s why we at TESA teamed up with The Laura[…]
Each year, members of the African-American community begin the celebration of the holiday of Kwanzaa on December 26th. Kwanzaa is a cultural and political celebration of the lives of African-Americans and incorporates afro-centric symbols and traditions during a week-long celebration. At the heart of Kwanzaa are seven principles (Nguzo Saba) that are taught and highlighted on[…]
The worker cooperative movement is growing. That’ because people across the country are realizing the economy and the businesses they work for would fair better if they were owned and governed democratically by the people. But starting a worker co-op is difficult, and the process can often be daunting. So that’s why we, The Toolbox[…]