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GuideIntro

Worker Cooperative FAQ

A plain-language DAWI overview of what worker cooperatives are, how they differ from other models, and how ownership and voting typically work.

Source: Democracy at Work InstituteAdded June 12, 2026
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Why it matters

It answers the first governance questions most people have: who owns the business, who votes, how workers participate financially, and how worker co-ops differ from collectives and ESOPs.

Best for

Introductory education for people new to worker cooperatives.

This FAQ is a strong entry point for new readers because it explains worker ownership without assuming legal or governance knowledge. Some sector-count information appears older, so it should be treated as an introductory explainer rather than a current data source.

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Heirloom Library entries are summaries and wayfinding notes. The original source is the best place to read the full resource.

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