What is a worker co-operative?
A type of co-operative business owned and democratically controlled by the people who work in it.
If that's a worker co-operative, what is a co-operative?
Co-operatives exist to serve their members, whether they are the customers, the workers or the local community. What makes co-operatives unique is that these members are also the owners, each with an equal say in what the co-operative does. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the decisions your co-operative makes.
Although co-operatives operate in different ways and use different legal forms, it is this democratic, open approach to business that is at the heart of the co-operative way of doing things.
Co-operatives are also united in a global movement. More than 800 million people around the world belong to co-operatives, and at least 100 million of them are employed by co-operatives. More often than you probably realise, co-operatives play a vital part in your everyday life.
Noteable worker co-operatives in world
Mondragon - Largest worker co-op in world and 7th biggest businessin Spain.
Rainbow Grocery Cooperative - Most turnover in America
Cooperative Home Care Associates - Most members in America
Case studies on UK worker co-operatives
Suma -Largest in UK
Dulas
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative
Infinity Food
Co-operative Web
Wave
Whomadeyourpants
Other link
International Co-operative Alliance's Statement on the Co-operative Identity
http://www.uk.coop/about/what-is-a-cooperative
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker_co-operative
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative
