USFWC NEWS UPDATES, INSPIRATION AND GOINGS-ON FROM THE U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER Winter 2016 Worker Solidarity, International Style! —Vanessa Bransburg, Board Member of USFWC, Staff at Democracy At Work Institute

ast September I attended attended the CICOPA Americas the extraordinary Regional Annual meeting as the USFWC Assembly of CICOPA representative and as the proxy for LAmericas in Panama City. Canadian Worker CICOPA Americas unites the Federation (CWCF). After national worker co-op federations announcements were made, we of each country in our hemisphere, discussed the financial sustain- from Argentina up through ability of CICOPA Americas. We Canada. Each of the four days are strategizing to determine was consisted of a morning opening would be a long term financial plan plenary and a panel presenta- Vanessa Bransburg, Board Member of USFWC, staff at for CICOPA Americas that would tion. Some of the topics covered Democracy At Work Institute advance our vision and long term during morning sessions included: strategy. Furthermore, we reviewed Economy, Power, Support and membership organization in the the Orientation Document for the the Role of our Cooperatives; world. She discussed how we are in Cooperative Principles, and then Building a Sustainable Cooperative the midst of the ICA 2020 Vision; discussed the ICA Presidential Economy; and a presentation by a push for cooperatives to become Elections that will be taking place Howard Brodsky on his global the undisputed leader for a sustain- in Turkey at the CICOPA Global co-op marketing campaign, able economy, and also the fastest Assembly in November. At the “Building a Better World Now.” growing and preferred business end of the meeting I read US During the opening plenary, model chosen by people around Federation of Worker Cooperatives’ outgoing International Cooperative the world. Thus far, the vision has Immigrant Worker Declaration Alliance (ICA) President Dame rolled out a leadership circle, sev- that was developed by the USFWC Pauline Greene presented that cur- eral cooperative roundtables, a blue Board of Directors as a statement rently 15% of the world– approxi- ribbon commission on Capital, an of our support for the move- mately 900 million people– are assessment group on sustainability, ment of people in search of better associated with co-ops in some the B20 Group, and the launch of economic alternatives and security form (as producers, consum- the cooperative global identity and for themselves and their families. ers, or members). Dame Greene brand (sometimes referred to as This declaration was then adopted Progress in Panama City: the extraordinary Regional also recognized that collectively, “the marque”). by the CICOPA Americas General Assembly of CICOPA Americas cooperatives form the 2nd largest On Tuesday, September 16th I Assembly, and is reprinted below: DECLARATION ON IMMIGRANT WORKERS Proposal by US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and Adopted by the CICOPA Americas General Assembly on September 17, 2015 Panama City, Panama

CICOPA Americas supports the movement of people in search of bet- Our continent is highly complex with respect to this issue, but our ter economic alternatives and security for themselves and their families. position is clear: we are in solidarity with immigrant communities and are committed to providing the tools and support needed for business We recognize that this is often a dangerous and uncertain path, and conducted by worker–owners themselves in immigrant communities as we also recognize that under current prevailing capitalist economic and well as migrants across the continent. political systems worldwide, movement of goods and extraction of value is privileged over the movement of working people. We see the strategy of promoting worker cooperatives as a way to create fair economic opportunities– ones that support human development As an organization that spans the Americas, we work to change this and drive a more sustainable local and global economy; therefore, we paradigm by developing and growing the sector. We support cooperatives and cooperative development for all workers. support all workers in search of a better life, whether they are traveling within the borders of a country or moving across borders.

EDITOR’S NOTE: USFWC NEWS Dear USFWC Editor: Esteban Kelly Contributing Writers: Vanessa members, Bransburg, Hazel Corcoran, Morgan Crawford, Amy Johnson, Melissa Hoover, Emily Lippold Cheney, Chris ith so much activity hap- Michael, Dru Oja Jay, Caitlin Quigley, Foresta Sieck–Hill, Adam Trott pening locally, globally, Layout: Design Action and in-between, it wasn’t Printing: InkWorks Press Weasy to pick a theme for this issue. I was especially our networks and allies to par- workers– irrespective of borders, USFWC STAFF delighted to visit worker co-ops ticipate on our behalf and keep the while highlighting the critical work Amy Johnson, Co-Executive Director Esteban Kelly, Co-Executive Director this summer in the Pioneer Valley connections to overseas partners happening locally, including in the (see Morgan Crawford’s piece on engaged and even enhanced. Emily US South, where the conference USFWC BOARD OF the ACE cooperative tour last Lippold Cheney’s update from will be held. July, and Adam Trott’s review of the International Co-op Alliance At our 2015 annual meeting DIRECTORS VAWC’s co-op summit!), Bay Area (ICA) Meetings in Turkey, held in Berkeley, California, members Congratulations to our newly elected co-ops (highlighted in the Western only once every two years, is a criti- shared stories of many organiza- directors! * Worker Co-op Conference report cal line of communication to keep tions and initiatives for racial and Maru Bautista* back), and nearby in the Mid- open. economic justice with which our Center for Family Life Atlantic (updates from NYC While we were not able to attend workplaces are connected. Some of Brooklyn, NY NOWC and PACA are included the Turkey conference in person, you shared stories of offering free Anna Boyer C4 Tech here). Nevertheless, several recent we are thrilled to have USFWC meeting space, financial consult- New Orleans, LA International Worker Co–op and President, Rebecca Kemble repre- ing, lending out your staff facilita- Vanessa Bransburg Solidarity Economy summits, sent the US worker co-op sector tors and mediators, and donating Democracy At Work Institute spurred us to compile reports on on the international board for the food and other in-kind supplies to San Diego, CA events in Panama City-Panama, worker co-op movement through reinforce efforts for racial equity in Dana Curtis Montréal- Canada & Paris- CICOPA. Our international your own backyards. Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery Austin, TX France, Antalya- Turkey, and worker co-op federation, is based As an immediate action from Michael Girkout Philadelphia-PA here for you. in Brussels, with a busy staff of 5 ½ the last member meeting, you all Alvarado Street Bakery The Federation has been active headed up by Bruno Roelants. I’ll agreed to convene a special member Petaluma, CA in each of these global moments, remind you here that the French/ council of the USFWC to focus on Julius Jones* taking our values and analysis to Spanish acronym CICOPA stands how worker co-ops support racial Future Focus Media/ Worcester Roots our international partners (for for the “International Organization and economic justice. This is a spirit Worcester, MA example in Vanessa’s cover piece on of Industrial, Artisanal and Service we are taking into 2016 as our sec- David Morgan Toolbox for Education & Social Action the cross-border worker solidarity Cooperatives.” Those of you who tor begins to come of age. Northampton, MA Declaration adopted in Panama last attended the Chicago Worker We look forward to seeing you in Max Perez* September), while gathering lessons Co-op National Conference were Austin, Texas! Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives and bringing home inspiration graced by a formidable keynote San Francisco, CA (exhibited by the Trans-Atlantic speech from The Italian worker In love and solidarity, OFFICES partnership between the Canadian co-op movement back in 2014. Esteban 1904 Franklin Street, Ste 400 and French worker co-op move- As we gear up for our own Oakland, CA 94612 ments which I witnessed up in national conference in the fall of Remember, you can reach me on (415) 392-7277 [email protected] Québec, expounded on here by Dru 2016 in Austin, we are keen to the USFWC office line or at: Jay in his report on the Canadian maintain this spirit of international [email protected] and on Conference). When strapped for solidarity. For us that includes deep Twitter: @estebantitos resources, the USFWC leaned into allyship with apex federations and Welcome New Board Members: Our 2015 Board election was the most contested race we’ve seen in years! Many thanks to the 11 incredible candidates who stepped up to run for five open at-large Board seats. We are excited to wel-

come Max Perez (Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives), Julius Jones (Worcester Roots Project) and www.usworker.coop Maru Baustista (Center for Family Life) as our three newly-elected members, and Dana Curtis (Black Twitter: @usfwc Star Coop Pub & Brewery) and Vanessa Bransburg (Democracy at Work Institute) who were re-elected Facebook.com/usworker to serve a second term. Giant appreciations go to Bethany Gerdermann (CheeseBoard Collective), Hank Have you been missing out on regular Andre (Equal Exchange), Jeff Ray (Rainbow Grocery), Jonah Fertig (CDI), and Laura Smoot (NoBAWC) news and updates from the US Fed- eration? Want your own copy of the for running and their unwavering support for the USFWC. And finally, with all the thanks in the world, USFWC NEWS? we say goodbye to Molly Hemstreet (Opportunity Threads), Nikki Marín Baena (Cooperation Texas) and Ellen Mickle (Equal Exchange) for their incredible service to the USFWC Board. www.usworker.coop/subscribe

2 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES NEWS & UPDATES FROM THE DEMOCRACY AT WORK INSTITUTE

Institute Team Grows! Recent Publications All available for download @ he Democracy at Work • Joe Marraffino joins our • Rebecca Bauen comes on as the institute.usworker.coop/ Institute is excited to Communities of Practice Project director of our Communities publications announce that we have as a cooperative developer and of Practice project, focus- Tadded five new staff mem- trainer, based in upstate NY. ing on leadership develop- bers since you last heard from us. Joe was the finance manager ment in the field. The former • Shevanthi Daniel joins us as at Green Star Cooperative in Executive Director of WAGES co-director of the Workers Ithaca and before that was a Cooperatives, Rebecca to Owners project, in Seattle. worker-owner at Arizmendi most recently worked with An educator and organizer, Bakery and a member of the Leaderspring in the Bay Area. Shevanthi comes to us most Arizmendi Development and Find out more about our staff recently from the Center for Support Cooperative. and board, www.institute.coop/ Inclusive Enterprise at Pinchot about-dawi/staff-board University in Seattle. • Zen Trenholm joins us as our Taxis local initiatives organizer. A Bay Area Native, Zen has been active on the Cooperative Youth Council and most recently helped lead the California Student Sustainability Coalition. • Vanessa Bransburg, now in Southern California, joins our Communities of Practice project on the cooperative develop- ment team. Vanessa helped grow the Center for Family Life’s cooperative development efforts Institute staff (L – R), Shevanthi Daniel, Camille Kerr, Tim Palmer, Zen Trenholm, Rebecca Bauen, in Brooklyn. Melissa Hoover, Joe Marriffino Craft Beer

Build Your Ecosystem Where We’ve Been This summer and fall DAWI We partnered with Project Equity and Citi Community Development to staff have been busy raising the host the Cooperative Growth Ecosystem convening in October 2015 that profile of worker cooperatives brought together leaders from across the country to build strategy around a across the country. Here’s a brief place-based ecosystem framework for creating worker cooperatives at a scale list of places we’ve spoken: that has real impact for communities. This launched our Local Initiatives • Eastern Conference for work supporting communities around the country in strategic planning, ecosystem development, and funding initiatives. • Association of Cooperative Educators Conference • SOCAP (Social Capital Measure Your Impact Markets) Conference • Summit on Rural America • Vermont Employee Ownership Conference • International Economic Cy Richardson of the National Urban League, Cort Participants in Cooperation DC’s workshop for Workers to Owners Gross of Self-Help and Leslie Lindo community members interested in starting worker Development Conference in of BALLE talk about national supports for local cooperatives. DAWI also helped present to policy- Anchorage, Alaska This fall we laid the ground- cooperative ecosystems. makers and small business development centers. • Western Worker Cooperative work for a national collaborative of Conference organizations supporting coopera- 2016 Conference • NCBA’s Coop Professionals tive conversions. On April 11, 2016 Conference in Minneapolis we will host the kick-off Workers to Remember to keep the national worker cooperative conference in • Platform Cooperativism Owners convening on cooperative mind as you’re budgeting for 2016 – be sure to set aside some funds Conference in New York City conversions in collaboration with the for registrations and sponsorship. We want to see you there! We will • Union Cooperative Symposium Employee Ownership Conference announce date and location soon. in Cincinnati (attended) in Minneapolis. Save the date!

2 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES Winter 2016 3 UPDATES Pioneer Valley Co-ops Take Center Stage at the 2015 ACE Conference Tour by Morgan Crawford, Director of Education NASCO (North American Students of Cooperation) Garth Shaneyfelt, Co-Founder and Worker-Owner at Artisan Beverage Cooperative, showcasing their product line

s I stepped through the are raw, vinegar-free, 100% organic, front door of Pioneer Valley and rich in probiotics, buying Photovoltaics Cooperative from local family farms and selling A(PV Squared), one of their exclusively in the Northeast. (And, worker-owners looked at me yes, spending ten minutes in their sideways, sniffed audibly, and said small facility will make you smell knowingly, “You’ve been next door, like pickles … it’s wonderful.) haven’t you? I can smell you from Relying on a different form of over here. You smell like pickles.” fermentation, and also situated I like to imagine that this hap- next door to Real Pickles and PV pens a lot. PV Squared is located Squared, is the Artisan Beverage in what is affectionately referred to Cooperative (ABC). ABC is a solid, as “Co-op Alley,” a cluster of three successful worker co-op conversion worker cooperatives in Greenfield, story: beginning as two separate, Participants enjoying a hands-on experience during the ACE Conference Tour Massachusetts that are all a stone’s conventional kombucha breweries throw away from one another. I had with similar goals, the owners of the pleasure of visiting these co-ops the breweries (which were located to be doing all of this quite well. appreciated not only the diversity last summer with a delegation of next door to one another) realized The annual ACE Institute of the worker co-ops that we visited attendees from the Association that they could accomplish their reliably hosts very well organized but also the clear demonstration of Cooperative Educators (ACE) shared goals while achieving an cooperative tours, or “Mobile that we’re building communities of Institute. economy of scale if they combined Learning Sessions,” of the local cooperatives, strengthening local Prior to visiting PV Squared forces and formed a worker co-op areas where the conference is economic ecosystems by working and learning about their impres- brewery. ABC’s mission is to pro- hosted. In the past three years’ together. With rising interest in sive, high-tech business (with duce the highest quality beverages conferences, I’ve learned a lot regional cooperative organizing and over 13 years of success provid- possible taking into account the through visiting student hous- efforts from groups like the Valley ing renewable energy solutions to social and economic impacts of all ing co-ops, food co-ops, a co-op Alliance of Worker Co-operatives, their region), we spent some time decisions of the cooperative, and to brewpub, a plastic manufacturing how is your co-op engaging with with the worker-owners next door demonstrate, through their success, co-op, a cooperative farm supply other businesses next door to you at Real Pickles. Real Pickles uses the viability of worker cooperatives store, an insurance co-op, and even and how can we leverage those traditional fermentation processes and fairly traded good. From what a cooperative gas station. In our relationships to become stronger to produce pickled products that we could see on the tour, they seem recent visit to Greenfield, I deeply together? Secondary Co-op Celebrates 10 years! by Adam Trott Staff, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives | Worker Member, Collective Copies

n September, 2005 a handful of co-operative economy. co-ops. Congratulations to VAWC worker co-ops and their support- Since our founding VAWC co- Members and thanks to our supporters ers started what became the Valley created the UMass, Amherst Certificate - including you, USFWC! - for making IAlliance of Worker Co-operatives in Co-operative Enterprise, co-founded the successes of this co-op of co-ops (VAWC). In 2011 VAWC incorporated the Valley Co-operative Business possible. as a secondary co-op with worker co- Association and the VAWC Interco- For more visit us on Facebook, twitter operatives as members. VAWC develops, operative Development Fund (made or at www.valleyworker.coop. Go Co-op! markets and educates about our model up of 5% of Member Co-op’s surplus) and strives to build a vibrant cross sector and supported six conversions to worker

4 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES UPDATES UPDATES

Western Worker Cooperative Advancing the Solidarity Economy, Cooperators Conference and Grassroots Organizers Gathered in by Foresta Sieck–Hill Philadelphia for the 2015 US Social Forum Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (NoBAWC) by Caitlin Quigley, Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance

of the worker we all do as worker- n a rainy Saturday morn- Initiative, described how tools like cooperators. This launched us into ing in Philadelphia, a giant Philadelphia’s new Land Bank two full days of exciting workshops solidarity economy map of put more land into community ranging from the technicalities New York City was being control and ownership. Lauren of patronage payouts to a panel O tacked to the wall. Zines profiling Hudson followed with a beautiful on worker coops in the prison different worker co-ops were display of Solidarity NYC’s map- industrial complex; from strategies being laid out. Many pounds of ping project and showed how that for communicating effectively, to Cabot cheese were being cut up. project illuminated opportunities marketing, to stories of the coopera- Just another solidarity economy to connect across sectors. The first Keynote speaker Gopal Dayaneni at the 2015 Western tive movement abroad. Worker Cooperative Conference science fair setting up here, folks. session closed with Hannah Jones, Participants let loose on Monday This science fair kicked Deirdre Smith, Rachel Plattus, night at the cooperatively run off our half-day People’s and Sachie Hopkins-Hayakawa he 2015 Western Worker venue Omni Commons located in Movement Assembly or telling stories about success- Cooperative Conference took North Oakland, with a celebration PMA, titled “Advancing the ful divestment and reinvest- place on the UC Berkeley of worker cooperatives thrown by Solidarity Economy Movement: ment campaigns and dreaming Campus, bringing it down USFWC, NBAWC, and DAWI T Connecting Cities and Regions about loans that could facilitate from Oregon for the first time (with sponsorships from Alvarado for Economic Justice,” which reinvestment instead of extract- in its nearly 20 year history. The Street Bakery and Arizmendi took place during June 2015’s US ing resources from communities. central location brought a wealth of Association of Cooperatives – thank Social Forum in Philadelphia. The This latter effort is being rolled exciting new participants that had you!). Many local worker-owners event was organized by a dream out right now with the Southern not attended in the past, making for who were unable to attend the team: USFWC, Philadelphia Reparations Loan Fund. conference made it to the party to many new ideas and connections. In the second half show their support and meet coop- Gopal Dayaneni, with Movement of the event, the 130 erators from all over the Western Generation, gave an inspiring key- participants deliber- US. note address, “Grassroots Ecology, ated in small groups All in all, the conference was a Cooperative Economy, and the on the prompt of great success: attendees went home Revolution Right Now” that got exploring concrete with many new skills, insights, con- participants focused on the urgent ways to link coop- nections, and renewed inspiration. need for change and the importance eratives and economic justice movements. A Big Year for the New York City Worker There was one particularly exciting Co–op Ecosystem outcome of the day: by Chris Michael the Philly partici- pants asked PACA to Executive Director, NYC NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives convene a conversa- tion about establishing Over the last year, the New a worker cooperative moving a Solidarity Philly York City Network of Worker company – in collaboration with coalition to continue Cooperatives (NYC NOWC) the Teamsters Union – that aims to Area Cooperative Alliance connecting across organizations in was an active playing in the NYC take on a share of the city’s $39M (PACA), USA Cooperative Youth pursuit of a shared economic jus- Worker Cooperative Coalition, of annual spending on moving Council, Solidarity NYC, New tice vision. At PACA, we’re start- representing worker-owners in services. Economy Coalition, and the US ing on this work now, beginning various campaigns for city-wide On May 2, 2015, NYC NOWC Solidarity Economy Network. with a listening tour and building support for worker cooperatives hosted the Second Annual NYC Co-faciliated by AORTA’s towards a more defined coalition and providing direct business sup- Worker Cooperative Conference Esteban Kelly and local food jus- and initiative. Overall, the event port, including legal, marketing with over 200 attendees from tice facilitator Kristin Schwab, the was a demonstration of the great and financial services, to approxi- across NYC and the country. We event began with explanation of power and creativity dwelling mately 30 worker cooperative were excited to have both Amy what “solidarity economy” means within our various movements businesses and startups. and Esteban, as the Federation’s and a few examples of what it for a solidarity economy. Or, at We also assisted with the con- new Co-ED’s present to welcome looks like around the world. Next, the very least, it was a demonstra- version of seven existing entities participants and talk with worker Amy Laura Cahn, an attorney tion of our ability to eat a huge into worker cooperative businesses, co-op members in our city’s grow- at the Garden Justice Legal amount of Cabot cheese. and also partnered with another ing co-op sector. cooperative developer to launch

4 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES Winter 2016 5 MEMBER CORNER

2014 Annual Report: Dear USFWC Members, Presented at the Annual Member Meeting in September at the Western Worker Cooperative Conference, our 2014 Annual Report is available As 2015 draws to a close, I want to pause online for your reading pleasure. www.usworker.coop/annual-report-2014 for a moment and acknowledge all of you… 2015 Board Retreat: worker-owners/members, cooperative developers, In November 2015, the USFWC allies and supporters… You make the USFWC Board and staff met in Boston, MA what it is! It is humbling to be able to work for our annual retreat. Thanks to New Economy Coalition for the side-by-side with all of you as we mark use of their space and our generous another year of building a national network solidarity housing host, Carolyn Edsell-Vetter of A Yard & A Half of brilliant folks dedicated to advancing Landscaping. In addition to ham- democracy in the workplace. Thank you mering out strategic priorities for 2016, we were also able to meet up USFWC Board & Staff, Nov. 2015 for all you do! with local Boston worker-owners and USFWC supporters for some good ol’ fashion networking. So, please keep us posted on your successes, reach out to us when you need a bit of 2016 Member Packet: support, and take advantage of your member What’s the USFWC? Why should you join? What are the benefits of benefits. Get involved in a Member Council, membership? All this and more is available in our updated ‘2016 Member Packet’. Download & share with your co-workers: www.usworker.coop/ join a Peer Network, or apply for the member-packet DAWN training program. The more involved our members are, the stronger our Federation Fall Webinar Series – Recordings Available becomes. Online All webinars hosted this fall were recorded and are available online for I’m looking forward to another year of registered participants. Series include: HR for Worker Coops, Planning for Business Growth, and Orientation for New Worker Owners. Visit www. cooperative collaboration with y’all! usworker.coop/webinar-trainings

With love and thanks, Welcome, New USFWC Members! Amy Patty Pan Cooperative, WA Arizmendi Valencia, CA Time of Day Media, NY Collective Agency, OR New School Montpelier, VT Future Focus Media, MA

Austin, Texas SAVE THE DATE! Fall 2016!

2016 WORKER CO-OP NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Austin, Texas A US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and Democracy at Early Fall! Work Institute co-production

SPEAKERS * WORKSHOPS * TOURS * FILMS * FUN Worker cooperators, allies, developers, funders, financiers, visionaries, public figures and Austin hosts convene for 3 days of building the democratic ownership economy.

Details Forthcoming at: conference.coop

6 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES MEMBER CORNER Wrap Up

Transatlantic Agreement For Worker Report Back from the CICOPA Cooperatives Hits Canada General Assembly the President of the CGSCOP, by Emily Lippold Cheney Patrick Lenancker. USA Cooperative Youth Council This form of ownership is far from being new in Canada. There he General Assembly have been several successful take- for CICOPA, a global overs by the workers, one of the sectoral organiza- most impressive successes undoubt- Ttion of industrial and edly being the Quebec ambulance service cooperatives–– of which Meeting participants then co-operatives with total turnover of USFWC is a member– was held reviewed CICOPA’s strategic over $90 million and representing in Antalya, Turkey immediately document sketching out work in 75% of the pre-hospital transpor- following the International accordance with the Cooperative ONTREAL, October tation in the province, with the Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Decade, and explored the aims of 28th, 2015 - The exception of the city of Montreal. Global Conference and General the next two-year period in that Canadian Worker Co-op In Quebec, the cooperatives of Assembly. I had plans to attend larger context. Among the many MFederation (CWCF) the St-Hubert Rotisserie in Laval, the ICA meetings and so was identified goals some highlights and the General Confederation radio stations M-105 Granby tapped to participate in the include: of Cooperatives and participatory and CHNC in Gaspésie, as well CICOPA while in Turkey as the • the need for more promotion societies (CGSCOP) of France as the Promo-Plastik cooperative proxy of the USFWC who were of worker cooperatives among have signed an economic agree- in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, and the not able to travel to Antalya. youth, During the CICOPA General ment between France and Canada, Careforce Home care Cooperative • a continued focus on conver- Assembly, the activities of the last regarding shared knowledge and in Nova Scotia are other shining sion of businesses to coopera- two years were reported - high- expertise in the worker co-opera- examples. tive ownership, tive movement. “We have already proven many lights include: • the strengthening of The agreement, made by the times that the social economy is • the consolidation and CICOPA as a global entity two apex organizations represent- a reliable and durable solution to improvement of CICOPA’s alongside its regional and ing worker cooperatives in Canada financial insecurity. Now we need data tracking, which resulted sub-regional groupings (e.g. and in France, principally aims to to concretely demonstrate to the in the completion of the CICOPA North America), increase the organisations’ expertise population and to workers that First Biannual Report on in accompanying business organi- worker co-ops are the business Cooperatives in Industry and • research and reporting on zations for business succession to model of the future,” say both Services published in three the importance of indivisible worker cooperatives. Bridault and Lenancker. They add: languages and distributed at reserves, “Employees, in many cases, are “This shared knowledge will help the B20, • and continued coordination maintain thousands of jobs over the able to collectively buy the company • the collaboratively created with the ILO. coming years.” that employs them, particularly in video, Working Together In order to meet these goals, Le Réseau de la coopération du the event that an employer could for Cooperative Future, that members discussed broadening travail du Québec (Quebec Worker not identify an external buyer. With showcases youth worker coop- CICOPA’s network by calling for Co-op Network) will be one of support, employees can become eratives throughout the world CICOPA members to put forth the principal beneficiaries of this co-owners, co-investors and co- (including USFWC members, volunteers to complete specific agreement, and agrees with CWCF managers,” says Alain Bridault, Worcester Roots Project and projects. The Generally Assembly and CGSCOP. “This agreement President of CWCF. Future Focus Media), delegated a couple of issues France has a good head start on with France will allow us to extend • much improved and expanded for the Executive Committee Quebec and the rest of Canada our expertise by sharing practical to work on further: One was in this matter. Indeed, CGSCOP methods and tools. Concretely, communications to members and the general public includ- continued discussion of the coordinates annually up to 50 it will allow us to provide a more role of worker cooperatives in business ownership transfers to effective approach when supporting ing a periodic eMagazine “Work Together,” growing refugee and migrant employees as a “cooperative and a business transitioning to being a communities. The other was to • the successful lobbying of the participatory society” (“SCOP”), worker cooperative in Quebec” adds discuss the procedure by which ILO, or International Labour the equivalent of a worker co-op Pierre Charette, President of the the ICA selects its meeting loca- Organisation (sic) to include in Canada. “Without a doubt, the Réseau. tions - specifically as it relates to cooperatives in its resolu- Canadian experience will increase The agreement was signed simul- both the financial (the cost of the tion regarding the transition our expertise. With this first agree- taneously in Montreal and Paris via Antalya location was prohibitive of workers to the formal ment, we mutually commit to share a video conference at the Ministry for many members, including the economy, and the best practices we have observed of Economy, Innovation and USFWC) and political contexts and documented. We are certain Exports of Quebec in Montreal, for • the addition of two sectoral (the current repression of Kurdish that this transatlantic partnership which USFWC Co–ED Esteban representatives to the ICA people in Turkey).. will be collectively enriching”, said Kelly was present. Board of Directors.

6 U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES Winter 2016 7 US Federation of Worker Cooperatives 1904 Franklin Street, Ste 400 Oakland CA 94612