workers.coop is a UK-based federation of worker co-ops, founded in 2022. It is a membership organisation that operates as the network and voice for worker cooperation. We bring co-ops and supporters together as a movement, to advance our shared interests and become stronger.

Our membership currently sits at around 100 members, almost all of whom are worker co-ops (enterprise members) spread predominantly across England and Scotland. Our members range from micro enterprises in research and technology to social co-operatives with hundreds of members. International members are considered from time to time.

Membership classes

We have two membership classes, enterprise member and individual worker member.

If you are a worker-led cooperative, you will be joining as an enterprise member.

If you are an individual active in a working group you can apply for individual worker membership. This second category was introduced so that those active in the work of running the federation but not currently a member of a worker co-op had a vote.

Individuals outside of worker co-ops can become registered supporters of the federation by joining our sister organisation, Solidfund. To join, visit their page.

Eligibility

Enterprise membership is open to worker led co-ops following the International Co-operative Alliance definition of a cooperative.

To be eligible for membership, workers in the worker-led cooperative must have significant (>50%) control of the business – the same applies to any multi-stakeholder co-op applying. Worker co-ops must have at least three members.

Individual worker membership is considered on an individual basis for those who are active in a federation working group. You can apply by emailing secretary[at]workers.coop.

International members are considered from time to time – especially where there is no membership federation in their country.

What does it cost?

The annual membership fee is one thousandth (or 0.1%) of your labour costs in your last financial year. The minimum level is £150+VAT. You will be asked for this information when you fill out the application form. Your co-op’s contribution will be determined on the basis of:

  • Total wages bill (for employees) / 1,000
  • Total paid to members (for self-employed workers) / 1,000
  • These added together (for mixed employee/self-employed worker co-ops) / 1000

For example:

  • If last year your total wage bill came to £500,000, your subscription would be £500
  • If you distribute £200,000 a year to your self-employed members, your subscription would be £200+VAT
  • If your total labour costs are less than £150,000 we would still need you to contribute £150+VAT. We think this is the lowest cost for which workers.coop can sustain a member resource.

This formula is fair, because worker compensation is the truest proxy for the financial strength of a worker co-op. Whether you have highly paid workers, or mainly low paid, part time and even volunteer workers, it’s appropriate for every kind of worker co-op. We need to make workers.coop valuable for all our members.

Minimum fee

The minimum fee is set at £150+VAT. This is the minimum level at which we can sustain a co-op’s membership over the year. This fee is subject to go up in line with inflation and to cover the costs of membership.

Rolling memberhsip each year. You will be charged your membership fee on a rolling annual basis at the same time period that you joined. Each renewal period we will need you to let us know if your annual labour costs have changed as this will effect your membership rate.

No co-op left behind

Worker co-ops that can’t contribute the minimum because of financial capacity – for example, you are in startup mode – can join workers.coop on a ‘pay what you can’ basis for up to two years.

You will have exactly the same Membership rights as other members, with full access to the network and its resources.

The expectation is that you will be ready to increase your subs to our minimal level in due course. Just be mindful when applying that there is a limit to how many ‘pay what you can’ offers the federation can afford.

Membership process

The process to become an enterprise member (worker co-op member) is simple.

  1. Fill out the membership application form on the website
  2. We will be in touch if we have questions we may need to ask to confirm eligibility
  3. For eligible prospective members, we will calculate your membership fee and send across an email with instructions on how to pay your dues
  4. Once we receive your membership payment you will be welcomed into membership
  5. Book a new members Induction to get to grips with what’s what
  6. From here you can add the ‘member of’ workers.coop logo to your website, and start participating!

Decision-making rights

As a member of workers.coop you have voting rights in the federation’s governance and democratic decision-making processes. All members are invited to attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting. Members are able to join working groups and participate in decision-making as part of these groups, including our strategic working groups which have oversight along with the board. We welcome applications for sitting on the board as a director from participating cooperatives.

The next AGM will be held on September 10, 2026.

50% off membership with Co-operatives UK

Worker co-ops joining workers.coop are eligible for a 50% discount on standard membership of Co-operatives UK as part of a dual members offer. The discount doesn’t cover membership add-ons such as their Contact or HR packages.

As the voice of the UK’s co-operative movement, Co-operatives UK empowers and supports co-operative enterprise with specialised knowledge and expertise, to grow the co-operative economy and create a fairer society.

To benefit from this offer, let Co-operatives UK know at the point of joining or membership renewal. If you’re already a member of Co-operatives UK, contact them before renewing with them at the end of the year for them to apply the discount.

“…It’s a genuinely ‘member animated’ network, and a new way of doing things. Our goals are pretty ambitious: we want to change the meaning of work, as well as its control and ownership”

Siôn Whellens
Calverts

Need more information?

Book in a chat by emailing solidarity@workers.coop and a member or a paid worker will be happy to guide you through the process or answer any questions you have.