The Latest News From Canada's Worker Co-op Sector
August 2019 Volume 11 Issue 7
In This Issue
  • Report from CWCF's Executive Director
  • Conference 2019: Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy and Worker Co-ops
  • DSW Co-operative in Ottawa Embraces Co-op Alternative for Developmental Services Work
  • Join the CWCF Conversation on Loomio
  • How Worker Co-ops Are Responding to Climate Change: Reflections from an SSG member, and a Fourth Pig member
  • Who's the Boss? In Worker-Owned Co-operatives, Everyone Is
  • Worker Co-op Members Receive Arts and Culture Grant
  • School for Democratic Management: Upcoming Webinars
  • Fermenting Democracy: Using Worker Ownership to Change Our Food Industry
Report from the Executive Director
In this report, I’ll focus on CWCF’s upcoming Conference and our technical assistance grant program. The report also includes a brief update about our video with Noam Chomsky, CWCF's upcoming website overhaul, our recent staff meeting, and GM Oshawa.

Conference 2019: Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy and Worker Co-ops
CWCF's strategic plan identified collaborating with the social and solidarity economy as a priority, and one of our 2019 Conference's forums will explore this topic. Learn more about the social/solidarity economy, and share your ideas on how worker co-ops can partner with it for mutual benefit. The Executive Director's Report, above, includes more on our Conference.


For more information about our Conference, including registration details and the program, click  here.
DSW Co-operative in Ottawa Embraces Co-op Alternative for Developmental Services Work
Like many developmental services workers, Claire Maxwell faced a difficult choice when it came to breaking into the industry — working for a large, private company that would offer her little or no say in its operations, or working on her own, isolating her from others in the field and offering no external support. Neither option seemed very appealing, but there didn’t appear to be any alternatives until she and three other developmental services workers in Ottawa learned about a third option: establishing a worker co-op.

Join the CWCF Conversation on Loomio
Increased member engagement is a key part of CWCF’s strategic plan. That’s why we’re working to make our conferences more accessible, holding other regional gatherings, and increasing the frequency of visits to our members. We’re doing these things because we know the importance of connecting in person. But we also realize it’s not the only way for our members to stay in touch. That’s why we’re hoping you’ll connect with us — and each other — on the online platform Loomio, which is a worker co-op.
How Worker Co-ops Are Responding to Climate Change: Reflections from an SSG Member, and a Fourth Pig Member
As with all businesses, the climate crisis presents a challenge for worker co-ops, and at this point there may be as many questions as there are answers. But here’s a start at understanding some of the issues they face.

Who's the Boss? In Worker-Owned Co-operatives, Everyone Is
While political pundits dicker over the merits and perils of socialism, 12% of the U.S. workforce are experimenting with business models that challenge top-down capitalism.

Worker Co-op Members Receive Arts and Culture Grant
CWCF is pleased to announce that members of a worker co-op based in 100 Mile House, BC, have received a one-time $350 grant, sponsored by the Big Idea Rainbow Foundation, for an art project in collaboration with a local gallery. The project will unfold over the coming year.
School for Democratic Management: Upcoming Webinars
The Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) offers CWCF members a 50 percent discount on their School of Democratic Management's webinars. Upcoming offerings include the Democratic Management Skills Check-up and the Human Resources Quick Tips Series, including Hiring for Mindset Fit, and Orienting New Workers: Beyond the Basics, Toward Citizenship. Email communications@canadianworker.coop for the discount code.

Fermenting Workplace Democracy: Using Worker Ownership to Change Our Food Industry
Join Real Pickles, Equal Exchange, and Democracy Brewing for a lively and interactive panel on how three local companies are using worker ownership and fermentation to change our food industry for the better.

The Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) is a national, bilingual grassroots membership organization of and for worker co-operatives, related types of co-operatives (multi-stakeholder co-ops and worker-shareholder co-ops), and organizations that support the growth and development of worker cooperatives. CWCF's e-newsletter is available free of charge to anyone with an e-mail address and an interest in worker co-operative developments in Canada.    
Please send any comments and suggestions to:  
Kenzie Love
Editor of CWCF Newsletter 
(403) 276-8250