Worker Co-op Day

About the event

Designed and run by worker co-ops for worker co-ops, this event will bring people together online to share experiences and inspire. Due to Covid we have postponed the physical Worker Co-op Weekend until 23 to 26 July. However, to mark International Workers' Day and whet our appetite for the main events, a few sessions will be hosted online on 1 May. 

Format

• Online from 10.15am until late
• Four consecutive online sessions
• Each session booked separately
• Sessions one to three are presentations or panel discussions, followed by Q&As. Session four will be an interactive (online) social gathering for worker co-ops

How much does it cost?

• Session one – prices start at £20
• Sessions two to four – FREE

Agenda and booking links

10.15-13.00 | Worker co-ops: How to get started

• Hosted by Stir to Action. Click here to book

In an era of intensifying economic inequality and systemic crisis, workers are fighting back by organising themselves in co-operatives. The purpose of a worker co-op is to secure decent jobs, support skills development and education, extend solidarity, and above all enable the members to collectively self-manage their working lives. Worker co-operatives are part of wider movements around the world for economic, social and ecological justice.

This workshop will be a practical exploration of setting up a worker co-op, looking at varieties of structure and decisions you’ll need to make along the way.

15.00-16.30 | Worker co-operation in a time of crisis

• Hosted by Co-operatives UK, chaired by Siôn Whellens. Click here to book

Are worker co-ops about emancipation, justice, or workers control? Advocates of worker co-operation often say that worker co-ops are more stable, productive and happier places to work than other enterprises. But what is the significance of worker co-operatives at a time when wages and conditions are under general attack, when people are asking questions about ‘essential work’, and in the face of the ecological crisis? What tools does worker co-operation have to offer to transform the character of productive work and the ownership system itself?

This session will start with a short presentation followed by discussions in small groups and then finally as a full group.

17.00-18.30 | UK worker co-ops - can we become a movement?

• Hosted by Co-operatives UK, chaired by Cath Muller. Click here to book

When worker co-operation in the US is expanding, why is the number of worker co-ops in the UK still falling, despite worker co-operation being more practical in the current economic climate than ever. How can we create a 'worker co-op movement' that really is a movement? What resources do we need?  How can our profile be raised?

The session will start with quick overviews of the history and current state of affairs of the 'worker co-op movement' from multiple voices. All participants can then join online documents to identify issues and obstacles, make suggestions and discuss approaches as the full group.

20.00-late | Worker Co-op Bonfire 

• Hosted by Blake House Filmmakers Cooperative. Click here to join

To access the Worker Co-op Bonfire, you are first invited to join the Multiplayer Cooperative Quiz Adventure: 'a worker coop based quiz experience'.

Blake House Filmakers Cooperative will write a multiplayer quiz experience, where a group of friends or strangers will encounter a branching storyline that evolves with the player (or does it?), where there are no wrong answers. The players will quest through the labyrinth to unlock a code to join the Worker Co-op Bonfire, a gathering of only the hardiest cooperators.

The game will take place in a fictionalised 'Worker Coop Weekend' based weekend gathering.

Will your cooperative move the fire?

The game begins between 8pm-8..30pm.

Who should attend

Anyone interested in worker co-operation and employee democracy.

Recording the event (Sessions two and three, hosted by Co-operatives UK)

Sessions two and three (hosted by Co-operatives UK) will be recorded and shared with attendees. If you are unable to attend on the stated date, you can still book on to receive the recording link.

About the chairs

Siôn Whellens is a worker co-operator at Calverts, and a ‘barefoot’ worker co-op organiser based in London. He is an elected member of the Worker Co-operative Council,and is the UK member representative to CECOP and CICOPA, respectively the European and world federations of co-ops in industry and services. Siôn co-designed the Worker Cooperative Solidarity Fund, which supports worker co-op education, skills development and organisation.

Cath Muller is a founding and current member of Footprint Workers’ Co-op and member of Cornerstone Housing Co-op since 1995 and has lived communally and worked collectively for 20 years. Both co-ops are members of Radical Routes (RR), a mutual aid federation for co-ops working for a radically different world, based on co-operation and mutual aid, common ownership, non-hierarchy and ecological sustainability. Personally and professionally, Cath has helped  set up numerous community and campaigning co-ops.