Worker Cooperative
Definition
Businesses owned and democratically controlled by their workers, with each worker having one vote regardless of capital contribution. Worker cooperatives distribute profits among worker-owners rather than distant shareholders, creating quality jobs with ownership stakes. Cooperatives provide job security, workplace democracy, wealth building for working people, and community accountability. Worker cooperatives are powerful community wealth-building and economic justice tools.
Louisville Context
Louisville has very few worker cooperatives despite their success in other cities. Most Louisville workers are employed by corporations extracting profits to shareholders rather than building worker wealth. Low-income communities particularly lack cooperative businesses that could provide quality jobs with ownership opportunities. Limited technical assistance and startup capital for cooperative development constrains growth despite worker interest.
Why It Matters
Traditional employment extracts value from workers’ labor to enrich distant shareholders. Worker cooperatives enable working people to own their workplaces, share profits, make democratic decisions, and build assets. Cooperatives provide quality jobs that can’t be eliminated by distant corporate decisions. In communities experiencing economic extraction, cooperatives build community wealth and economic self-determination.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will launch Louisville Worker Cooperative Initiative (funded within $1.025 billion budget) providing technical assistance, startup capital, and ongoing support for cooperative development. Priority support for cooperatives in West Louisville and other underserved areas. Community Wellness Centers will host cooperative education and development assistance. Dave will direct Metro procurement to prioritize worker-owned businesses, creating demand supporting cooperative growth.