Unions, Co-ops, and Labor Neutrality

Unions and co-ops go together. This session outlines the practice of labor neutrality — when an employer commits to taking no position for or against their workers organizing and to voluntary recognize a labor union without requiring an election facilitated by a third party (commonly through a "card check" process) — and how workers in cooperatives can benefit from their employer proactively supporting their rights.

The event took place on March 16th, 2026 as part of the USFWC's campaign to set labor neutrality as a standard in the field. We are calling on cooperative businesses, nonprofits, developers, and networks alike to sign the labor neutrality pledge. Please consider signing on behalf of your organization and sharing this session with co-workers who may benefit from learning more about unions, co-ops, and labor neutrality.

Speakers include: 
Molly Ragan, Lecturer at the Parsons School of Design, Worker Organizer with EWOC and Independent Organizing Network, previously Staff Organizer for UAW 
Andy Bowling, Co-founder and Software Engineer at comp.coop, United Steelworkers Local 14734 
Mike Sandmel, Cooperative Business Developer at The ICA Group, United Steelworkers 
David Hammer, Executive Director at The ICA Group 
Emma Karnes, Organizer at UFCW Local 328 and Co-op Rhody 
Emmanuel Padilla, Membership Director at the New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYC NoWC) 

Learn more about the USFWC Union Co-ops Council here.

This event was part of an academic course at the City University of New York School of Labor and Urban Studies (CUNY SLU), taught by Rebecca Lurie. Learn more about CUNY SLU's Advanced Certificate in Workplace Democracy and Community Ownership program here.

Timestamps
0:00 Unions, Co-ops, and Labor Neutrality 
18:54 Andy Bowling, comp.coop 
23:59 Mike Sandmel, The ICA Group 
30:31 David Hammer, The ICA Group 
38:10 Emma Karnes, Co-op Rhody and UFCW Local 328 
46:41 Emmanuel Pardilla, New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives 
57:44 Maddie Taterka, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives 
1:00:26 Final Discussion

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