workers.coop has just been registered as a new co-op society and I’ve attached a copy of the new rules.
Registration of New Society.pdf (639.7 KB)
The key points are that both employees of workers.coop (workers) and workers co-ops (co-operative enterprises) can join and the society has this purpose:
The purpose of the Cooperative is to carry out its function as a cooperative and to abide by the Cooperative Values and Principles, as defined and modified by the International Cooperative Alliance from time to time, in order to build a world where:
- everyone has access to rewarding, meaningful and sustainable work;
- the worker-controlled enterprise system is well known, easy to grasp, and a viable option for workers;
- capital serves labour, rather than dominating or exploiting labour;
- people retain the fruits of their work, and wealth is distributed equitably and fairly;
- working relationships are characterised by true equality and mutual accountability;
- people are able to collectively take control of their work, creating opportunities for skills and personal development, and for a better life balance; and
- the production of goods and services is integrated with democratic community development, and respects ecological limits.
And these objectives:
The objects of the Cooperative shall be to carry on business as a cooperative and to carry on any other trade, business or service and in particular but without limitation to:
- act as a sectoral federation to unite, defend and advance the shared interest of worker cooperatives and other worker-led or worker-owned enterprises;
- be the recognised voice and network for worker cooperation in the UK;
- provide access to specialist development advice, cooperative support and other shared services for worker cooperatives;
- strengthen worker cooperative culture by mobilising cooperators and supporters of the worker cooperative system through industrial networks, knowledge sharing and social movement alliances;
- participate in international workers’ and cooperative networks, and actively promote worker internationalism; and
- Make the system of worker control and collective ownership accessible and relevant to new groups and generations of workers, refining our offer and organising models in the process.
I’m of the view that we should consider opening negotiations to see if CoTech can become the IT sector of workers.coop while retaining our independence in terms of IT infrastructure and things like gatherings and also with a view of having a dedicated part-time worker employed by workers.coop and dedicated to building and growing CoTech.