When all of our working experiences have been in profit-maximizing enterprises, or in workplaces that are structured hierarchically, it is no wonder that we can encounter challenges when attempting to run an enterprise democratically.
Worker Cooperatives
Can Cooperating Transform How We Work Together?
Course Description
Worker cooperatives are enterprises that are owned and governed by workers. When all of our working experiences have been in profit-maximizing enterprises, or in workplaces that are structured hierarchically, it is no wonder that we can encounter challenges when attempting to work together cooperatively. In this course we will explore the challenges and tensions when there are no bosses to hate!
- Class Starts on October 10, 2026
- Class Length: 1.5 hour Per Session
- Session Schedule: 5 Online Weekly Sessions
- Course Fee: USD$60 (Regular Price) / USD$40 (Students/Workers/Unemployed)
- If you are in financial difficulties and would like to apply for a fee waiver, please email us at convenor@labourschool.org, and a decision will be made by the course facilitator.
- Class Size: Class Limited to 10 Students (*first come first serve)
Registration Ends October 9, 2026
Course Starts on October 10, 2026
Course Facilitators
Emi Do (she/they) is a passionate advocate and student of solidarity-based economic organizing. Currently one of 40+ worker-owners of Sustainability Solutions Group, an multi-national environmental consulting firm, Emi was first exposed to the cooperative model as a small-scale farmer. Recognizing the transformative potential of the cooperative model, Emi earned a PhD for research on agricultural cooperatives in Japan, and expanded their scope of study to include democratized workplaces to co-author Cooperatives at Work.
Matt Noyes (he/they) is a farm worker, solidarity economy and cooperative educator/organizer, and translator based in Colorado Springs. He studied solidarity economy and cooperative organization at Mondragon University and is co-author of Cooperatives at Work (with Emi and others). He is active in food rescue, a local buyers’ club, and several cooperatives, including Sun Mountain Farm Club, Social.coop and GEO.coop.
Class Time (Timezones in Asia)
- 7am: Pakistan
- 7:30am: India/Sri Lanka
- 8am: Bangladesh
- 8:30am: Myanmar
- 8:45am: Nepal
- 9am: Indonesia/Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam
- 10am: Hong Kong/Taiwan/China/Philippines/Singapore/Malaysia
- 11am: Japan/Korea
Class Project
Organizing journal. After each session, participants will be invited to jot down their thoughts on what they learned and how it connects to their own organizing or general group experiences. This journal will be a space to notice insights, challenges, and ideas to bring back to the group.
Weekly Class Schedule
Session 1 – Oct 10, 2026: Why should we work cooperatively together? (and why is it sometimes so hard?)
“Cooperating wouldn’t be so hard if it weren’t for all the people involved.” But solidarity with our fellow workers and members is the secret to a successful cooperative.
In this session we’ll introduce the cooperative movement, how a cooperative differs from a traditional business, and how solidarity can enable cooperatives to co-create solutions to our most urgent problems.
Session 2 – Oct 17, 2026: Why are we working together?
Cooperatives require people coming together to build something rather than organizing to be against something. Sometimes it can be hard to identify what to build.
In this session we’ll discuss the struggles of identifying a common project and explore ideas on how to build on that idea .
Session 3 – Oct 24, 2026: How do we make decisions cooperatively?
Being able to make a decision is a powerful authority. Distributing decision making authority can feel vulnerable, but ultimately empowers more people to take responsibility for the group’s process.
In this session, we’ll examine different models of cooperative decision-making, and what it takes to balance efficiency with inclusivity. We’ll explore strategies to help groups move forward with clarity, while honoring diverse voices and perspectives in the process.
Session 4 – Oct 31, 2026: How do we own things together cooperatively?
The idiom “put your money where your mouth is” illustrates that how we allocate resources–whether money, time, skills, or assets– is a powerful signal for our priorities. But not everyone comes to a group with the same level of access to resources, which can create tension when we try to share ownership fairly.
In this session, we’ll unpack what “shared ownership” really means and how that is reflected in addressing complex topics like compensation and surplus allocation.
Session 5 – Nov 7, 2026 : How do we change the world together… cooperatively?
Let’s talk about social transformation! How might worker cooperation contribute to social change? Reflection on the course, the skills, and our shared and individual experiences working through the different sessions.
Bring your journals and be prepared to share!
To contact us: convenor@labourschool.org
