For workers and ecosystem partners
Worker Cooperative Incubation
Cooperative enterprises are autonomous workplaces where workers co-own and manage the business democratically, and equitably distribute profit, losses, and responsibilities among its members. Cooperatives are a way to keep wealth within the community, and offer fair work opportunities to excluded workers, such as those who are immigrants or formerly incarcerated. At Worker Justice Wisconsin, we educate workers on cooperatives, and incubate new businesses or conversions in collaboration with an extensive local support network to lower the barrier of entry for entrepreneurship.
By Natalie Yahr Oct 9, 2024 Immediately after workers at Madison screen printing company Crushin’ It Apparel voted unanimously to be represented by a union, their boss announced he’d shut down...
English text below Montar una empresa puede ser una experiencia liberadora para los trabajadores que no quieren estar sometidos por un jefe. Sin embargo, hay barreras altas que dificultan la...
Los Volcanes is an up-and-coming, cooperatively-run association that focuses on screenprinting, sewing, and embroidery. The workers that are part of the cooperative organized Crushin’ It Apparel, and now are part...
Workers interested in fair, sustainable entrepreneurship
Building a just economy
Our priority is to assist workers who have historically been marginalized and excluded from entrepreneurship opportunities. This includes low-wage, non-English speaking, and immigrant workers- those who have the most to gain from the cooperative business model and democratic workplaces.
Immigrant workers
We can help immigrant workers adjust to a new economic system, and navigate bureaucracies and institutions.
Non-English speaking workers
We aim to improve accessibility to entrepreneurial resources for workers who do not speak English and with low literacy skills.
Low-wage workers
Low wage workers have the most to gain from cooperative enterprises – from improved pay, job security, and workplace conditions. We aim to improve the lives of workers who need democracy the most.
For potential ecosystem members
Why get involved in Worker Cooperatives?
It takes an entire community to build community wealth. We partner with organizations and service providers to build and sustain equitable workplaces, with the goal to create a just and equitable economy that retains wealth within the community, sustained by a vibrant and ever-evolving and inclusive ecosystem.
Learn about worker co-ops
Sign up for a training to learn more about what worker cooperatives are all about!
Support our current incubation
Follow our current incubation project for updates on their progress, and support their incubation process by becoming a service provider, donor, or client!
Join the ecosystem
Do you have a skill or service that startups can benefit from? Do you want to help grow the cooperative movement? Join our roster of providers and educators to support future projects!
Other ways of getting involved.
Join the Rapid Response Network
By joining the Rapid Response Network, you will receive alerts from WJW about direct actions such as protesting wage theft. The aim is to apply community pressure to employers who have violated their workers’ rights and to show solidarity with workers.
Register for a Group Grievance Session
If you believe that your employer has violated your rights as an employee, register for our biweekly Group Grievance Session. This is an opportunity to be in community with other workers and share your experiences, as well as learn about U.S. and Wisconsin employment law. If we suspect that there has been a violation, we will help you file a complaint with the relevant state agency.
Become a volunteer
If you’re looking to support the work that we do, reach out to us! Volunteers can help with the Group Grievance Session, door knocking for our wage theft campaign, and help give trainings throughout the community.
Cooperative Resources
Interested in learning more about cooperatives? Check out our resources to learn more.
The Industrial Commons
Learn more about cooperative ecosystems around the world that start and sustain co-ops.
US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
Explore the list of mini-guides to help your cooperative from finances to conflict resolution.
