What is a
Worker Co-Operative?
We love worker co-ops and co-ops in general, and this enterprise structure is what makes Alethea unique in the international education sector. That said, we know this is an unfamiliar business model so here is a quick primer on worker co-ops to help you understand what makes us…us!
 
Our friends at the Canadian Worker Co-op Federation define worker cooperatives as “businesses that are owned and democratically controlled by the members [whose] main purpose is to provide employment for its members through operating an enterprise that follows the Co-operative Principles and Values”.
So yes, we’re still a for-profit organization, we simply believe in building that profit sustainably in accordance with the seven global co-op principles:
  • Voluntary and Open Membership
  • Democratic Member Control
  • Member Economic Participation
  • Autonomy and Independence
  • Education, Training, and Information Co-operatives
  • Co-operation among Co-operatives
  • Concern for Community
If you want to learn more about this seriously awesome and sustainable business model, you can check out more information from the CWCF about the business model and co-operative principles.

Do I have to be a member of Alethea to become your client?

Unlike consumer cooperatives such as food co-op which have customers as members, Alethea clients (customers) do not become members of the co-operative. Alethea is a worker co-operative and as such, members are what a traditional company would call “employees”. 

 

Alethea formed like any other worker co-operative. Our members came together and combined our skills, interests, and experience in the international education sector to achieve our shared  goals of creating meaningful employment for ourselves, providing a service to the sector we love, and increasing democracy in the workplace. 

As Alethea continues to grow globally and support clients around the world, more members will be able to be sustained by increasing work.