By Benji and the Cat
For too long, working-class Americans have been on the losing end of a rigged system. The rules of the game have been written to benefit the few at the top, while the rest of us work harder and get less in return. Wages stay flat, prices go up, and decisions about our jobs are made by people who have never walked in our shoes. But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if we could rewrite the rules — together?
There’s a better way, and it’s called a worker cooperative. A worker co-op is a business where the workers are the owners. It’s not some far-off idea or fancy trend. It’s a practical, time-tested way to give working people control over their livelihoods and a fair share of the profits they help to create.
What’s in It for You?
Imagine your workplace, but better. Instead of taking orders from a boss who only cares about the bottom line, decisions are made by the people who actually do the work. That means you have a say in how things are run. Instead of profits going straight to shareholders who’ve never set foot in the building — they’re shared among the workers. When the business succeeds, everyone benefits.
This isn’t theoretical — worker co-ops already exist, and they’re thriving. For example, Arizmendi Bakery, founded by a group of bakers in the San Francisco Bay Area, shares decision-making power and splits the profits equally. Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco has been operating their worker-owned co-op since 1975 (50 years in 2025). In New York, The Drivers Cooperative, an alternative to other ride-sharing apps, has over 2,000 members. And in Chicago, the New Era Windows Cooperative bought their window factory from the owner of the decades-old business, and it has been operating as a worker co-op ever since (“In 2008, the boss decided to close our windows factory on Goose Island and fire everyone. In 2012, we decided to buy the factory for ourselves and fire the boss. We now own the plant together and run it democratically.” from their website). These are real people proving that worker co-ops work.
The idea of worker ownership isn’t new. In fact, it’s deeply American. In the 19th century, worker cooperatives were common among carpenters, tailors, and other trades. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, co-ops helped communities survive when the system failed them. And today, thousands of co-ops across the country — from grocery stores to construction companies — continue to prove that this model works.
How Do We Start?
You don’t need an MBA or a million dollars to start a co-op. All it takes is a group of people who want to work together and a willingness to learn. You can start a new co-op from scratch or convert an existing business into a co-op. There are organizations across the country that offer free or low-cost support to help you get started, from legal advice to financial planning.
And if you’re wondering where to find the money, there are grants, loans, and even local government programs that support co-ops. This isn’t charity — it is an investment in working people like you. (See info, below.)
The Power Is in Your Hands
The system isn’t going to fix itself. Politicians might talk a good game, but they rarely deliver for working people. Corporations certainly aren’t going to give us a fair share. If we want change, we have to create it ourselves.
Worker co-ops give us the tools to do just that. They put the power where it belongs: in the hands of the workers. So let’s stop waiting for someone else to save us. Let’s roll up our sleeves, stand together, and build something better — because no one knows how to get the job done like we do.
Let’s take back what’s ours!
Some national resources for starting & funding co-ops
– CooperationWorks.coop
– DemocracyCollaborative.org
– SeedCommons.org
– cdf.coop
– capitalimpact.org/focus/co-ops/
– ICA’s Global Cooperative Impact Fund
– There are also lots of local and statewide organizations — a quick internet search will help you see if there’s a co-op development center in your area.
– Depending on the type of co-op you want to start, you might find funding resources just for that kind of business.