“Worker ownership provides freedom and democracy, the values this building represents.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Helen “Homefries” Matthews, Communications Director, Center for Economic Democracy, homefries@economicdemocracy.us
MASSACHUSETTS - The state-wide Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power members (COWOP) met with legislators on Wednesday, February 28th, advocating for appropriate state funding to drive the growing worker-owned economy in Massachusetts.
In 2022, legislators passed the MassCEO Enabling Act which established a state office to strengthen the sector of worker-owned businesses (which includes cooperative businesses and ESOPs) called the Mass Center for Employee Ownership.
But, since in the establishment of the office, legislators have yet to fund it.
"The state is going to give out money in the hundreds of millions of dollars to generate our economy," said Senator Edwards at a press conference that day.
"If you truly want to get to grassroots impact, you have to support coops," she continued.
To ensure funding for the new state office and other support for worker-owned companies, COWOP called on lawmakers to allocate critical funds in the upcoming FY25 budget. COWOP asked legislators to:
In 2022, legislators passed the MassCEO Enabling Act which established a state office to strengthen the sector of worker-owned businesses (which includes cooperative businesses and ESOPs) called the Mass Center for Employee Ownership.
But, since in the establishment of the office, legislators have yet to fund it.
"The state is going to give out money in the hundreds of millions of dollars to generate our economy," said Senator Edwards at a press conference that day.
"If you truly want to get to grassroots impact, you have to support coops," she continued.
To ensure funding for the new state office and other support for worker-owned companies, COWOP called on lawmakers to allocate critical funds in the upcoming FY25 budget. COWOP asked legislators to:
1. Fund the Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO) at $685,000
2. Fully fund the Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program run by Mass Growth Capital Corporation, by retaining the $7.5 million in Gov. Healey’s draft FY25 budget
According to the Massachusetts Employee Ownership Census, the number of worker-owned cooperatives in the Commonwealth nearly tripled between 2010 and 2022. Worker-owned businesses are especially vital to empowering historically marginalized workers, advocates said.
"Successful co-op businesses offer a meaningful way for working class communities of color to access dignified working conditions, and a share in the profits they help generate at work, leading to prosperous communities and human wellbeing across race and class," said Alex Papali, Legislative Director of the COWOP Coalition.
"Successful co-op businesses offer a meaningful way for working class communities of color to access dignified working conditions, and a share in the profits they help generate at work, leading to prosperous communities and human wellbeing across race and class," said Alex Papali, Legislative Director of the COWOP Coalition.
Darnell Adams of Firebrand Cooperative calls on MA lawmakers to fund the new Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO). Photo courtesy of the COWOP Coalition.
“The fact of the matter is,” said Darnell Adams, Co-owner of Firebrand Cooperative, a change management consulting firm, “that Massachusetts has this opportunity to be a leader.” “An investment in cooperative workplaces actually has a multiplying effect. Any of the funds that go towards building this movement has a widespread effect, not just for cooperatives, but for dignified jobs and for the creation of businesses that will stay and grow here.”
Nathan Davis Hunt, founding Director of the Community Purchasing Alliance Massachusetts, shared a moving story about the birth of his son and how the cooperative model enabled him to care for his family. “I was able to take three months off, fully paid, to be with my family, help my wife during that time, and help our children. It is empowering to work at a cooperative, and it improves your quality of life,” Hunt said.
“We're here today because we believe in shared power and dignity. We believe worker ownership provides freedom and democracy, the very thing this building represents,” added Hunt.
“We're here today because we believe in shared power and dignity. We believe worker ownership provides freedom and democracy, the very thing this building represents,” added Hunt.
Former Senator David Magnani, who first introduced the MassCEO Enabling Act in the 1980's, joined COWOP in speaking out at the State House. He currently serves as a key advisor to the COWOP coalition.
At Thursday's press conference, Magnani said, “What the worker-ownership movement does is essential and stands on the principle of economic justice...if you do the work, you deserve the reward.”
At Thursday's press conference, Magnani said, “What the worker-ownership movement does is essential and stands on the principle of economic justice...if you do the work, you deserve the reward.”
State Senator Lydia Edwards calls for support for worker-owned businesses in Massachusetts' FY25 budget.
Senator Edwards echoed a similar sentiment. “If you truly believe in workers rights, if you truly believe in economic democracy, and if you truly believe in a future where all workers, regardless of where they're from, regardless of their immigration status, can own their own future and profits, you have to support co-ops.”
Senator Edwards has been a champion for worker ownership. In voicing her strong support, she said, “There's no business entity more creative and more attuned to the unique needs of a community, from a street level perspective, than cooperatives.”
Senator Edwards has been a champion for worker ownership. In voicing her strong support, she said, “There's no business entity more creative and more attuned to the unique needs of a community, from a street level perspective, than cooperatives.”
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About Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power
The Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power (COWOP) is a growing statewide network that brings together worker-owned cooperative businesses with small business developers, grassroots organizations, labor unions and capital providers to resource and coordinate the advancement of a worker ownership movement across Massachusetts. COWOP supports the equitable growth of the cooperative sector by re-aligning it with the leadership and policy power of grassroots and worker movements that center frontline communities throughout Massachusetts.
The Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power (COWOP) is a growing statewide network that brings together worker-owned cooperative businesses with small business developers, grassroots organizations, labor unions and capital providers to resource and coordinate the advancement of a worker ownership movement across Massachusetts. COWOP supports the equitable growth of the cooperative sector by re-aligning it with the leadership and policy power of grassroots and worker movements that center frontline communities throughout Massachusetts.
About Mass CEO
The Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO) provides training, education, and direct assistance to grow and sustain a strong network of employee-owned businesses in the Commonwealth. ICA Group, a leading expert on worker ownership, has been the contractor administering MassCEO for the past several years. MassCEO is now an office of the Commonwealth overseen by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.
