We can't wait for the Annual Co-op Roundtable happening tomorrow (10/8) on WHMP kicking off #CoOpMonth Tune in from 8 am to 10 am to hear from Larisa Demos, our board chair and co-founder of @flatironcoop.bsky.social talk about VAWC, legislation that we're advocating for and more. #gocoop
"Worker co-ops can further strengthen bargaining power & link local cultural products to markets in ways that respect traditions." says Simel Esim of the Int'l Labor Org, and we agree. Worker co-ops provide a way for people who aren't wealthy to build biz & jobs together www.ilo.org/resource/new...
We celebrate #NationalCoopMonth every October. This year's theme is #CooperativesBuildABetterWorld and co-ops from all the VAWC members to food co-ops, credit unions & farmer co-ops make this month so special. Check out all that worker co-ops can do for you here: valleyworker.coop/members/
Their work impacts #sustainabledevelopmentgoals for health and well being, decent work & economic growth, sustainable cities, zero hunger, & more. Thanks to Flat Iron, UMass Amherst Economics Department, International Cooperative Alliance, & United Nations #InternationalYearofCooperatives
DYK @flatironcoop.bsky.social has uniquely high impact on economic multipliers & food security? In 2024, Flat Iron: • Created 5 jobs for members *and* half of a full time job thru supply chain activities • Donated an estimated 952 meals through their Table 7 program for the food insecure
Go here for more: valleyworker.coop/legislative-... Thanks to Sean Garballey, Christopher Worrell, & Paul Mark for their leadership. Thanks Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power, Center for Economic Democracy and all the supporters we have seen. #gocoop#InternationalYearofCooperatives
Opportunity To Own (H.503/S.305 in MA) is gaining traction! OTO creates a pathway for worker co-op buyouts preserving jobs, business, and economic democracy for workers.
DYK Collective Copies addresses needs for dignified jobs, financial security, & health issues? Workermembers earned approx. 20% higher than national industry average while producing *four times* their hourly rate in revenue. Everyone, even part time workers, receive 100% health care coverage.
Support Opportunity to Own! Nearly half of Mass. businesses are owned by boomers, most w/no succession plan: Only 15% of businesses succeed to their kids & 80% of businesses don’t sell at all. Worker co-ops have 5% more productivity & have higher survival rates : valleyworker.coop/legisla.../o...
#sustainabledevelopmentgoals#ConcernForCommunity ThanksUMass Amherst Economics Department, International Cooperative Alliance, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA #InternationalYearofCooperatives.
DYK the Compost Cooperative addresses climate issues locally and globally. *By diverting compostable waste from the landfill, in 2024 they prevented 88.2 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere due to landfill emissions. This is roughly the equivalent of driving a car 225,000 miles or 180 barrels of oil.
Great to see Pedal People splashed on the hallowed pages of @usa.streetsblog.org USA, featuring a close look of a route and a couple members. Will is a representative from Pedal People and Ben, a board member, has a cameo. #gocoop#workercooperatives
Today, we celebrate Labor Day and the power workers have to create equitable, safe, and democratic workplaces. Thank you to all those who fought and continue to fight for the rights and voice of labor.
Support Opportunity To Own (H.503 & S.305 in MA) The “Silver Tsunami” is a broad-based exit of business ownership and is threatening business infrastructure in Mass. Half of businesses are owned by Baby Boomers and 80% have no succession plan. Find out more here: valleyworker.coop/legislative-...
Their work impacts #sustainabledevelopmentgoals for health and well being, sustainable cities, climate action and more. This also shows their adherence to the 7th cooperative principle, #ConcernForCommunity. Thanks to UMass Economics Debt, International Cooperative Alliance, & the United Nations.
The Compost Co-op is addressing economic & environmental issues locally & globally. They made $4,965 in charitable contributions, including 35 tons of compost donations, 72 volunteer hours, and subsidized services for 10 low-income households in the Greenfield area. #internationalyearofcooperatives
*Get to know Opportunity to Own* We're working with legislators, co-ops, & support orgs across the state to pass this bill. We've supported ten conversions to worker co-operatives and this would make them an even easier, more well-known option. Check out more here: valleyworker.coop/legislative-...
DYK: In 2024, Pedal People kept 986,500 pounds of paper & 608,100 pounds of recyclable containers like plastic, metal, & glass out of landfills. This impacts #sustainabledevelopmentgoals for clean water, sanitation, sustainability, & more. See the report here: valleyworker.coop/wp-content/u...
Thanks to the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee for hearing our case several worker co-op supporters, Center for Economic Democracy, Coalition for Worker Ownership. Want to find out more? Go here: valleyworker.coop/legislative-...
Members of our board and staff testified before a MA committee for Opportunity to Own. Let's make worker buyouts more accessible in Massachusetts! Below, Ethan Tupelo - VAWC board member, formerly of Pedal People and now visiting professor at Boston College - speaks about the strength of the bill.
Did you know Pedal People impacts issues locally and globally? They created 49 jobs (28 members and 21 indirect jobs) all while paying its members 10.3% more than industry average? This impacts the 8th #SustainableDevelopmentGoal Decent Work & Economic Growth #InternationalYearofCooperatives
Our latest newsletter is out! Catch up about #opportunitytoown legislation in MA, the great work from our interns from the UMass Amherst Economics Department and save the date for our in-person event in September. #gocoop#workercooperatives#mapoli
