Last month we had two energizing events: our 2023 Union Co-op Symposium and our Cheers to Cooperatives celebration!
We're so grateful that we had a chance to be together, dream together, and create some new pathways forward for greater impact. So much collective intelligence was unleashed! So many connections were formed and deepened. So many new partnerships were forged. It will be exciting to see what happens next.
200 Gather in Cincinnati for 2023 Union Co-op Symposium
Around 200 cooperative members, labor movement leaders, economic development professionals, and others gathered at our Symposium to co-create specific visions of an economy that works for all.
Sessions focused on varied topics, from Black ownership to workplace democracy, from mutualism to co-op policy goals.
What were the takeaways? There were so many! Here are a handful of examples. Various participants committed to:
Provide a course on unions for co-op developers
Offer a Co-ops 101 for union members
Create study groups about how Black cooperation and shared ownership have been foundational to African cultures and to helping African-Americans survive oppression
Join the National Black Cooperators
Promote a resident-managed housing model aligned with Mondragon's principles
Reach out to existing business owners to share the power of transitioning to employee ownership
Build union co-op coalitions to achieve policy goals
Explore deeper partnerships with worker co-ops and HBCUs
Our Symposium was titled From Dream to Action: The Transformative Power of Co-ops, Labor, & Community
Supporters Celebrate Co-op Movement at Cheers to Cooperatives Event
We had a great time at our Cheers to Cooperatives celebration, held at the Art Academy of Cincinnati after the first day of the Symposium.
We shared food and made connections. We also gave awards highlighting contributions to our work and movement:
Don Barker, Co-op Champion Award: For his involvement from the inception of Co-op Cincy to the end of his days, including raising money and serving on our Board of Directors.
Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin, Expanding the Movement Award: For their inspiring work to document democratic workplaces and portray efforts to create a more equitable economy in Cincinnati, the U.S., and around the globe.
Lola McAllister, Phil Amadon Solidarity Award: For her contributions this past summer with Co-op Cincy, when she fully immersed immersed herself in our activities as an intern and exemplified solidarity.
Barbara Bell, Exceptional Civic Partners Award: For her amazing display of solidarity in advocating for the broadening of worker-ownership in our region and across the country.
Mo Manklang, Exceptional Civic Partners Award: For working closely with us on a variety of issues and including us in important national policy conversations.
Shine Nurture Center, Co-op Cincy Network Award: For their exemplary display of inter-cooperation as a member of our co-op network.
Our Cheers to Cooperatives celebration included food, drinks, and good company!
Co-op Cincy Awarded Half-Million-Dollar Federal Grant to Bolster Clean-Energy Jobs
Some big news: We've been awarded a half-million-dollar federal grant to design strategies that improve equity and strengthen clean energy and sustainable construction jobs in Greater Cincinnati.
The grant will support good jobs for individuals from historically marginalized communities, particularly women, people of color, and blue-collar workers."
“We’re so honored and excited for this opportunity to drive equitable economic growth, creating an economy that works for all,” said Ellen Vera, Co-Director of Co-op Cincy. “Our goal is to empower workers and build community wealth as we transition to a more sustainable economy.”
Read more about the grant on our site. We’ll be building a broad-based coalition. More updates to come.
Sustainergy is a local worker-owned business that provides energy efficiency and solar power services in Greater Cincinnati, demonstrating the potential of combining worker power and sustainable construction.
Documentary on Co-op Network now Available
Works For All, a documentary on Cincinnati's co-op economy, is now available for viewing!
Works for All portrays the cooperatives in Co-op Cincy’s network, which are led by people marginalized from the mainstream economy, and Co-op Cincy’s approach to training and ongoing support.
The documentary was produced by Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young, who made the earlier documentary Shift Change about democratic workplaces.
"Works For All is a beautiful and compelling glimpse into the inspiring work of Co-op Cincy. I loved getting to see inside these businesses, the people who make them run, the union partnership in their successes, and how worker-ownership has moored the values of cooperation, sustainability, and dignified work."
- Ra Criscitiello, Deputy Director of Research at SEIU UHW
Renting Partnerships Holds Open House on Monday 11/20
Renting Partnerships' newly renovated property at 6037 Cary Avenue
Renting Partnerships is having an open house from 2-5 p.m. on Monday, November 20 at their newly renovated property, which is located at 6037 Cary Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45224.
The house has beautifully updated 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom units that can provide adequate and affordable housing for generations to come.
As with their housing in the Avondale neighborhood, Renting Partnerships will use a renting model designed to fight gentrification and help tenants build long-term wealth. The units will be leased to low-income residents at below-market rates, and tenants will earn financial credits while participating in the maintenance of the building.
Bring a friend, walk through, and learn about Renting Partnerships!
Co-Director Ellen Vera Elected to USFWC Board
We’re thrilled that our very own Co-Director Ellen Vera is one of the new Board of Directors for the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives! Congrats to Ellen and the other Board members! And thank you to USFWC members for voting!
Co-op Cincy To Participate in Cincinnati Gives Challenge!
This year, we're participating in the Cincinnati Gives challenge with the goal of raising $15,000 to support worker-owned businesses, building an economy that works for all!
The Challenge runs from 11/27 to 12/7. We'll share more next week!
Movement News
From NPR: "The United Auto Workers staged an unprecedented strike against the Big Three Detroit automakers—and they emerged with three big, lucrative deals."
From the The Portland Press Herald: “O’Donal’s Nursery of Scarborough has entered a fresh chapter in its long history, becoming a worker-owned cooperative.”
From The Capitol Hill Seattle Blog: “After more than a decade of providing walk-in veterinary care to Capitol Hill, Urban Animal will be transitioning to a co-op business model.”
In Forbes, Evan Edwards writes about the power of employee ownership to create quality jobs and build wealth for workers daily.
Did you know that 60% of manufacturing businesses have owners who are near retirement and lack a succession plan? See Project Equity's new report, Employee Ownership for Manufacturers
