The United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC) is the national grassroots membership organization for worker cooperatives and democratic workplaces, building a thriving ecosystem for worker-owned and controlled businesses to power movements for racial justice and economic democracy. With nearly 450 business and organizational members representing the estimated 1,300 worker co-ops and 15,000 workers in the U.S., USFWC organizes through local cooperative networks while building power with national and international partners to advance economic justice rooted in community-based, shared ownership. Founded in 2004 when worker co-op members, developers, scholars, and organizers came together, USFWC united practitioners from the Western Worker Co-op Conference and Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy with Midwest and Southern leaders, launching with an inaugural Minneapolis conference to articulate shared vision and structure. From its inception, USFWC has centered leadership of workers from democratic workplaces and historically marginalized communities, especially people of color and leaders from low-income and immigrant communities. Membership comprises worker co-ops, democratic workplaces, cooperative developers, and supporting organizations and individuals, ranging from 2 to 2,000 workers across dozens of industries. USFWC connects worker cooperative members to benefits, each other, and the larger cooperative and economic justice movements; amplifies members’ voices at local, state, and national levels; provides consulting and technical assistance; and through partner organization Democracy at Work Institute, ensures cooperative business ownership reaches those who need it most. USFWC is led by a 100% member-elected Board, member councils, and staff in Oakland and Philadelphia, funded through membership dues, grants, consulting, and individual contributions.
Why it matters: USFWC provides national infrastructure connecting 1,300 worker co-ops representing 15,000 workers, proving that economic democracy through worker ownership and democratic governance is a viable alternative to conventional business models at scale. By centering leadership from historically marginalized communities, especially people of color and low-income and immigrant workers, USFWC ensures that those most exploited by traditional employment lead transformation toward shared ownership. The Federation’s combination of advocacy, technical assistance, and commitment to reaching those who need cooperative ownership most demonstrates that building worker-owned businesses requires organizing infrastructure and intentional focus on economic and racial justice.
