USFWC NEWS UPDATES, INSPIRATION AND GOINGS-ON FROM THE U.S. FEDERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVES 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 Cooperative 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 worker cooperative 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.