Cooperative law and employment & labor relations law intersect when combining unionized workers and worker-owned employers, and there are a host of creative ways to navigate that legal landscape. Insight from attorneys in those fields as well as organizers who have built union co-ops can be valuable in mapping possible paths.
Allowing Employees to Unionize
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the right of some employees to organize unions and collectively bargain with employers. Here is a
Does NLRA apply to members of worker cooperatives?
The NLRA protects some employees, and whether this applies to members of worker cooperatives depends on the ways courts have interpreted the definition of “employee” under the NLRA.
Worker Ownership and Section 8(a)(2) of the National Labor Relations Act
Resources for Union Co-ops
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A Union Toolkit for Cooperative Solutions
Developed by Rebecca Lurie and Bernadette King Fitzsimons, this toolkit delves into the intersection of cooperative law and employment and labor relations law, with a focus on unionized workers and worker-owned employers. It provides valuable insights from attorneys and organizers experienced in building union co-ops, offering practical guidance for merging these models. The toolkit shares
Immigration and Employment Law Considerations
Immigration and Employment Law Considerations for Cooperatives It is important for immigrant owned cooperatives, who have mixed status members, to understand how certain immigration and employment laws could impact folks without work authorization. The I-9 Requirement prohibits businesses from employing people they know do not have work authorization To enforce this law, employers must fill
Complying with Employment Law as a Cooperative
Employment laws have mostly been created to balance the relationship between “bosses” and “workers.” Employment laws are very important to ensure employees are given certain rights like the right to a minimum wage and reasonable work hours. How do employment laws apply when you form a cooperative to work with others, rather than for others?
