Worker Cooperatives: Sustainable and Growing

Monica Weiss Presides

A worker cooperative is a values-driven business that puts worker and community benefit at the core of its purpose. Interest in worker cooperatives and cooperative development is growing. Though we don’t yet have comprehensive data on the nature and scope of worker cooperatives in the U.S., researchers and practitioners estimate that there are 300-400 democratic workplaces in the United States, employing around 7,000 people and generating over $400 million in annual revenues. The number of worker cooperatives has grown steadily over the past 20 years, and is made up of both well-established businesses and new, growing ones, increasingly including some businesses that have been sold to their employees by their owners. Joe, a long time social justice and environmental activist, and guests will share their experiences with us.

Joe Rinehart is a cooperative developer and advocate for undermining economic inequality through shared ownership.  He is a former worker owner at Firestorm Café and Books in Asheville, North Carolina and instructor at Appalachian State University.  He recently left his position as Director of Cooperative Development at the Democracy at Work Institute where he helped guide and support the coalition that garnered NYC’s ground breaking $1.2 million dollar investment in worker cooperatives.  Prior to his time as a cooperative worker owner, he completed a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology at Appalachian State University with a focus on small scale technologies that empower communities and protect the environment.

Entry to our 100-year-old building and meeting rooms is available for most wheelchair users with prior arrangements. Please call ahead (212-874-5210 x107) for setup of our portable system and plan to arrive one hour before start time.