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Thinking of starting a business? Interested in a business model that uplifts your community? Worker cooperatives create meaningful change for communities affected by inequality. Worker co-ops are designed to improve low-wage jobs and build wealth in communities. Worker co-ops help build skills, earning potential, household income, and assets. Tuesday, May 21st at 6:00 pm Tuesday,… Read More »Starting a cooperative business with the Madison Cooperative Development Coalition

This week, we begin an occasional series of interviews that will provide a look into our co-ops in development. We’ve had a number of successes already, and we want you to hear about them! First up is Georgia Allen, the founder and president of Soaring Independent Cooperative, a new home health care agency led by… Read More »Co-op spotlight: Soaring Independent Cooperative

This week’s article will be a bit more abstract than other weeks’, because it discusses what might be, as opposed to what is. In fact, I’ve deliberately chosen to talk about things no one in Madison is doing — yet. What sort of business can be run as a worker co-op? Well, here are some… Read More »Ideas for future co-ops

The co-ops of Argentina are fascinating, although they’d probably prefer not to be. There are over 20,000 cooperatives in Argentina, and the most colorful ones are the 300+ that are known as “recovered businesses.” These are companies that went bankrupt and closed, but the workers re-entered the buildings and re-opened the businesses, now converted to… Read More »For worker co-ops in Argentina, the struggle goes on

If you’re on a cooperative board of directors for the first time, it may not be entirely clear what you’re expected to do, or how to do it. Never fear! The UW Center on Co-ops is here to help you up the learning curve. Co-op Directors 101May 14, 2019, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Landmark Services… Read More »Calling all new co-op directors!

Argentina has a lot of worker co-ops, notably the scrappy and resilient recovered businesses. Mike Krause of Isthmus Engineering, went to Argentina originally to go fly-fishing, but was captivated by the co-op community. Come hear about their struggles and their successes — and their relevance to us! “A Journey through Argentina” – from fly-fishing to… Read More »Mike Krause, Madison cooperator, presents his “Journey through Argentina” – from fly-fishing to worker co-ops

MCDC was very pleased to be among the organizations that collaborated to bring social activist Ed Whitfield to town. Ed has a long history in activism dating back to his participation in the Black Power Movement, and today, he works in non-extractive finance. Evelyn Wright, also a visitor to Madison, was in the audience and… Read More »Ed Whitfield visits Madison to help us make sure we’re making a difference

Alderperson Rebecca Kemble recently hosted WORT’s A Public Affair show with a panel of guests discussing the power of worker cooperatives. Rebecca has been a cab driver at Union Cab Cooperative for nineteen years and is a fierce promoter of worker co-ops here in Madison, across the country, and abroad, including in her former role… Read More »The Power of Worker Cooperatives in Building a Democratic Economy

Members from Common Good Bookkeeping with technical assistance team.The Madison Cooperative Development Coalition (MCDC) recently celebrated the incorporation of its first co-op, Common Good Bookkeeping! The new worker co-op was recognized at a February event at the Madison Labor Temple. MCDC is a collaborative of co-op developers, unions, and community organizations – including UWCC –… Read More »MCDC celebrates its first worker co-op!