Worker cooperative. A worker cooperative is a cooperative owned and self-managed by its workers. This control may be exercised in a number of ways. A cooperative enterprise may mean a firm where every worker-owner participates in decision making in a democratic fashion, or it may refer to one in which managers and administration is elected by every worker-owner, and finally it can refer to a situation in which managers are considered, and treated as, workers of the firm.
In traditional forms of worker cooperative, all shares are held by the workforce with no outside or consumer owners, and each member has one voting share. How to Start a Cooperative. This guide outlines the process of organizing and financing a cooperative business.
Rather than being a complete handbook, this publication represents the most important elements to consider when forming a cooperative. It lists what special expertise is necessary, and where to look for help.