The Cooperative Economy
@cooperatives.bsky.social
Advocating for a democratic, equitable, and inclusive world through cooperatives, worker ownership, unions, mutual aid, and workplace democracy. 💜
People Above Profit ✊🏽 #EconomicDemocracy 🌲🌲
usworker.coop | ncbaclusa.coop | workers.coop | ica.coop
People Above Profit ✊🏽 #EconomicDemocracy 🌲🌲
usworker.coop | ncbaclusa.coop | workers.coop | ica.coop
Co-ops are great, but an immediate transition by force would likely result in some adverse social and economic outcomes that might harm workers. The co-op model isn't well known by many. Without the foundation to support education and provide funding, businesses could struggle or collapse.
November 15, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Co-ops are great, but an immediate transition by force would likely result in some adverse social and economic outcomes that might harm workers. The co-op model isn't well known by many. Without the foundation to support education and provide funding, businesses could struggle or collapse.
Yes indeed! The character limit is short on this site so there is some simplification. The idea is that every worker, including those who do not work or are limited in their ability to work, takes part in the economic system using the ownership models that work best for their situation.
November 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Yes indeed! The character limit is short on this site so there is some simplification. The idea is that every worker, including those who do not work or are limited in their ability to work, takes part in the economic system using the ownership models that work best for their situation.
I haven't seen studies that directly provide information of ratios based on size. What I have seen is pay ratios for specific co-ops, like Equal Exchange, CHCA, and Mondragon. Their ratios do not exceed 11:1. I have yet to see a co-op go anywhere near the ratios of many large traditional companies.
November 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I haven't seen studies that directly provide information of ratios based on size. What I have seen is pay ratios for specific co-ops, like Equal Exchange, CHCA, and Mondragon. Their ratios do not exceed 11:1. I have yet to see a co-op go anywhere near the ratios of many large traditional companies.
Worker-owned cooperatives address this issue by having pay ratios around 5:1 or lower and providing their workers with a share in the profits. They are more equitable because they operate under a democratic structure. Studies show that workplace democracy is viable and that people prefer it.
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Worker-owned cooperatives address this issue by having pay ratios around 5:1 or lower and providing their workers with a share in the profits. They are more equitable because they operate under a democratic structure. Studies show that workplace democracy is viable and that people prefer it.
Interestingly, NYC already has in place a worker cooperative business intiative that has helped in the creation of over 100+ new worker-owned co-ops in the city. It would certainly be a bonus if the new mayor bolstered the program and provided incentives for a few worker-owned groceries.
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Interestingly, NYC already has in place a worker cooperative business intiative that has helped in the creation of over 100+ new worker-owned co-ops in the city. It would certainly be a bonus if the new mayor bolstered the program and provided incentives for a few worker-owned groceries.
Economic democracy is a good thing and there should be more of it.
Economic democracy provides the foundation for a more equitable distribution of wealth. This directly safeguards political democracy by limiting the power of concentrated wealth.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
Worker cooperatives, as one expression of economic democracy, actively support a more equitable and democratic world.
November 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Economic democracy is a good thing and there should be more of it.
Democratic socialism doean't mean only the government owns the businesses. It is a philosophy that supports economic democracy, which can be expressed in quite a few ways. Worker cooperatives and worker self-management are among the most popular ideas that democratic socialists advocate for.
Democratic socialism - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Democratic socialism doean't mean only the government owns the businesses. It is a philosophy that supports economic democracy, which can be expressed in quite a few ways. Worker cooperatives and worker self-management are among the most popular ideas that democratic socialists advocate for.
It depends on the kind of worker ownership. Some don't have shares in the conventional sense.
Worker cooperatives specifically are compatible with a democratic socialist economy as they express worker self-management and can be considered a building block for economic democracy.
Worker cooperatives specifically are compatible with a democratic socialist economy as they express worker self-management and can be considered a building block for economic democracy.
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 AM
It depends on the kind of worker ownership. Some don't have shares in the conventional sense.
Worker cooperatives specifically are compatible with a democratic socialist economy as they express worker self-management and can be considered a building block for economic democracy.
Worker cooperatives specifically are compatible with a democratic socialist economy as they express worker self-management and can be considered a building block for economic democracy.
It has become increasingly common for business owners to voluntarily transition their companies to worker ownership. They do this to have their project continue with the very folks, the workers, who helped build it. This is preferable to it being shut down or sold to a profiteering corporation.
November 6, 2025 at 6:46 AM
It has become increasingly common for business owners to voluntarily transition their companies to worker ownership. They do this to have their project continue with the very folks, the workers, who helped build it. This is preferable to it being shut down or sold to a profiteering corporation.
Studies show that these things are viable. Cooperatives (which are democratic businesses) are more resilient and better at protecting jobs compared to traditional companies. Worker-owned businesses tend to be more productive and create greater savings per worker. Economic democracy works!
Has anyone ever told you that worker ownership "isn't feasible" or that workers are "too stupid" to successfully run their own businesses? Some people hold these views, and they're wrong. Worker ownership has been studied for decades, and the results are in. Don't underestimate worker ownership. 👷♀️🏢
November 6, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Studies show that these things are viable. Cooperatives (which are democratic businesses) are more resilient and better at protecting jobs compared to traditional companies. Worker-owned businesses tend to be more productive and create greater savings per worker. Economic democracy works!
To add, the key component being economic democracy means worker and community ownership in practice. Think of worker-owned businesses, community land trusts, municipal utilities, cooperative enterprises, participatory budgeting, and labor unions as building blocks for a democratic economy.
November 6, 2025 at 6:40 AM
To add, the key component being economic democracy means worker and community ownership in practice. Think of worker-owned businesses, community land trusts, municipal utilities, cooperative enterprises, participatory budgeting, and labor unions as building blocks for a democratic economy.
(Was blocked after replying to their question about real world examples. Guess they have issues when facts are brought up?)
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 AM
(Was blocked after replying to their question about real world examples. Guess they have issues when facts are brought up?)
the United States losing upwards of hundreds of billions. Congestion reduction has the potential to pay for itself through the cost savings and the increases in economic activity, as well as expanding opportunities. New York City is among the top U.S. cities in annual monetary losses to traffic.
November 5, 2025 at 6:18 AM
the United States losing upwards of hundreds of billions. Congestion reduction has the potential to pay for itself through the cost savings and the increases in economic activity, as well as expanding opportunities. New York City is among the top U.S. cities in annual monetary losses to traffic.
Luxembourg has free public transportation, along with cities like Dunkirk in France and Alexandria in Virginia. Evidently, it tends to decrease car use, which is useful in reducing emissions and congestion, and it increases economic activity for businesses. Congestion is a major annual cost, with
November 5, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Luxembourg has free public transportation, along with cities like Dunkirk in France and Alexandria in Virginia. Evidently, it tends to decrease car use, which is useful in reducing emissions and congestion, and it increases economic activity for businesses. Congestion is a major annual cost, with
Worker-owned businesses. Allow workers to vote on pay ratios. Democratic workplaces in the United States feature an average pay ratio of 2-to-1.
November 5, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Worker-owned businesses. Allow workers to vote on pay ratios. Democratic workplaces in the United States feature an average pay ratio of 2-to-1.
1 in 4 New Yorkers live in poverty. The status quo is not working. There should always be room for new ideas. That is in fact how humanity has progressed in technology, living standards, and health. And to be clear, these policies exist in reality elsewhere and show that they can be viable.
November 5, 2025 at 3:41 AM
1 in 4 New Yorkers live in poverty. The status quo is not working. There should always be room for new ideas. That is in fact how humanity has progressed in technology, living standards, and health. And to be clear, these policies exist in reality elsewhere and show that they can be viable.
Being critical of criminal behavior is not the same as going after Jewish people. Please stop being a hateful person. Genocide is bad. This should not be a controversal position. Have a nice day.
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Being critical of criminal behavior is not the same as going after Jewish people. Please stop being a hateful person. Genocide is bad. This should not be a controversal position. Have a nice day.
He wants to establish a few municipal groceries to provide more affordable food products to low-income communities. He has not advocated for the government to "take over businesses."
November 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
He wants to establish a few municipal groceries to provide more affordable food products to low-income communities. He has not advocated for the government to "take over businesses."
The greed stops when the economic system is democratized and ownership is made inclusive. Worker-owned and democratic businesses tend to pay more, protect jobs better, and feature equitable pay ratios. They are also more resilient and productive. These alternatives exist.
Has anyone ever told you that worker ownership "isn't feasible" or that workers are "too stupid" to successfully run their own businesses? Some people hold these views, and they're wrong. Worker ownership has been studied for decades, and the results are in. Don't underestimate worker ownership. 👷♀️🏢
November 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The greed stops when the economic system is democratized and ownership is made inclusive. Worker-owned and democratic businesses tend to pay more, protect jobs better, and feature equitable pay ratios. They are also more resilient and productive. These alternatives exist.