Worker cooperatives in the United States of America

The United States, while a late adopter of a national worker cooperative federation, has a history of worker cooperatives dating back to the 18th century, with significant growth in the 1880s, 1930s, 1960s–1980s, and the current wave that began in the 1990s and accelerated in the mid-2010s. Early cooperatives in the 18th century, often union-organised during strikes, faced challenges from technological advancement and capital consolidation. The 20th century saw continued efforts, particularly during the New Deal era, with government support for cooperative development. Regional networks, like the Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives since 1994, and national efforts culminating in the 2004 founding of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, fostered growth. Modern worker cooperatives operate across diverse sectors, including alternative energy, textiles, and services.