workers.coop News #9: Unity and solidarity

News #9: Unity and solidarity

What a month it's been for workers.coop - from our landmark first Autumn Assembly on October 25th-26th, to talking with as many worker co-ops as possible to gear up for the winter and a second year of fresh possibilities, to creating new propaganda materials including a 12pp Manifesto booklet, posters, stickers and recruitment cards.

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Announcements

New Board members confirmed

We are pleased to announce the co-option of two new Board members - welcome to Kiri Langmead and George Sauverin. Kiri is a lecturer at Napier University's Business School and a member of our Research working group. George joins us from Infinity Foods Wholesale in Sussex. These co-options last until the Spring, when a new Board will be elected by the whole membership in time for our first Annual General Meeting.

Thanks and respect to founder members Cath Muller from A Commune in the North/Footprint and Debbie Clarke from Unicorn, who recently stepped down from the Board. They won't be going far, contributing their energy and experience to the work of our Mobilising and Communication groups.

Take advantage of Co-op Conversations

30 minutes free confidential advice and support for struggling or new worker co-ops with a member of our team. Book here.

Wholefood peer network created

One of the many actions out of the Autumn Assembly was to create a peer network for wholefood co-ops, if you want to get involved check out the forum or contact John@.

Peer learning on performance reviews

Another action was for more focused peer learning. If you want to know how to do performance reviews in worker co-ops, sign-up to take part in this session.

Events

Sheffield and South Yorkshire workers.coop Social

21 November, 3pm-9pm (Social, tour)

Come and meet with worker co-ops in and around South Yorkshire at 7pm at the Gardeners Rest, a co-op owned pub. If all goes to plan join us in the afternoon to visit Lembas, Beanies and the Yorkshire Cooperative Resource Centre. Details here.

Co-op Connections

28 November, 6-7.30pm (meetup)

This is a Co-ops UK event bringing together co-ops in and around Manchester. See event.

"Workers Buyouts - what is the cooperative key to success?"

29 November, 2.30-5.30pm CET (conference, Brussels)

The European Confederation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives, CECOP, are hosting a conference in Brussels that will be streamed on Zoom. More info and registration here.

'All Hands' meeting

30 November, 12-2pm (online meeting)

A catch-all working group members' meeting to discuss, chat, plan & reflect. Details online.

Edinburgh Co-op Meetup

8 December, 7-9pm (social)

Drop in and meet other co-ops, share news, find out what's going on and help plan a more cooperative future. Event details here.

Glasgow Co-op Meetup Christmas Special

5 December, 4-8pm (social, tour)

Join us for a day of fun including a tour of the Cooperative Collections at Glasgow Museums followed by an early festive cooperative supper nearby. We’ll be celebrating a year (almost!) of Glasgow meet-ups! Event details here.

Peer Network: HR

Thurs 14th Dec 12.00 - 13.00

Want to connect, learn and get support from other worker cooperators around HR? Join this peer network, our first session will focus on Performance Reviews. Register.

Worker co-op weekend

17-19 May, Midlands/Derbyshire

Save the date! We expect this to fall weekend 17-19 May in Derbyshire. More coming soon.

News shorts

Autumn Assembly, Birmingham

60 federation members gathered at the Birmingham & Midland Institute for a day and a half of workshops and training. The event was a reaffirmation of solidarity and unity, with a rocking party and a debate-provoking screening of Loud Spring at The Warehouse Cafe. Another highlight was a tour of local worker co-ops in Stirchley, where we were joined by and visited Loaf Bakery, Birmingham Bike Foundry, Autonomic and Stirchley Co-operative Development.

The Assembly gave us a chance to work together on workers.coop's vision and strategy. As always, a really energising aspect was being able to meet fellow cooperators and supporters in a spirit of shared passion and purpose. Thanks to our hosts, all our facilitators and workers for making it a success - and to our brilliant event sponsors, DotCooperation.

Feedback on Assembly For those who attended please feedback here.

How to get involved

📚 Case studies Calling all co-ops to be case studies for the workers.coop website by filling in this form. Thanks to Good Press, Leading Lives, Autonomic and Tyddyn Teg Cyf for yours, read them here

New or existing member inductions Book a 10 minute workers.coop Induction, for you or any fellow co-op member

Volunteer or get paid to organise a peer network or meetup We're trying to ramp up local meetups, coordination and networking between industries. If it sounds interesting contact john@, we can provide advice, templates and even some funding

Join a working group Get involved to achieve strength and cooperation across and between industries

💻 Say hello and join in on the Forum, with links to upcoming events, paid opportunities, job board, advocacy work and more

Do you want worker co-op merch?

Our new printed materials went down a treat at the Autumn Assembly. You can order these free educational and promotional materials for your shop/office/co-op/farm.

Worker Co-op Codes
workers.coop Manifesto (A6 booklet 'Liberating work')
A6 workers.coop postcards
A2 workers.coop posters (choice of slogans)
Ceramic pin badges (members only)
Pack of branded disobey stickers

Order merch here

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Name: workers.coop Limited
Registered number: RS004981
Registered Address: 63 Rakewood Rd, Rochdale, OL15 0AP

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