WHAT WE DO

The Union Cooperative Initiative is building an economy that works for people and the planet. We operate 3 core BUILD programs as we work towards a worker-centred social and solidarity economy:

SERVICES FOR CO-OPS SERVICES FOR UNIONS

BUILD CO-OPS

The UCI team of community organizers, cooperative developers, researchers, and professional workers provide wrap-around backend support for our incubated and network cooperatives. Each cooperative works with an experienced community organizer and cooperative developer as they build and scale their cooperative project.

Our network cooperatives participate in an expanded Mondragon Cooperative Network model by providing 1% of sales revenue and 10% of annual surplus back to the community and worker ownership development fund. In exchange for these contributions, the UCI provides no-cost services to ensure member co-ops can sustainably grow.

CO-OP INCUBATION

BUILD COMMUNITY

The UCI is a solidarity cooperative composed of workers, unions, community groups, and allied organizations. In British Columbia we are registered as a multi-stakeholder cooperative with each membership group (or class) electing representatives to our Board. 

Our Board is advisory in nature and the UCI programs and services are driven by our core worker team and network cooperatives. Individuals and organizations join the UCI to support this work and access discounted services through the Solidarity Economy Purchasing Portal.

JOIN US

BUILD POWER

The new UCI POWER Program will launch in the Spring of 2024 with regular worker training opportunities through workshops, intensives, and apprenticeships.

LEARN WITH US

SERVICES FOR MEMBER COOPERATIVES

  • Administration
  • Banking
  • Benefits
  • Branding & Communications
  • Business Plan Development
  • Community Organizing
  • Co-op Development (MOA & bylaws)
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Education
  • Financial Planning
  • Governance
  • Incorporation Services
  • Invoicing & Payment Processing
  • Legal Support
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Member Engagement
  • Style Advice
  • & More

Creating jobs that are community affirming and enhance a sustainable society

SERVICES FOR UNIONS

  • Co-op Development Support
  • Co-op Collective Bargaining
  • Purchasing Portal
  • Sectoral Analysis
  • Training & Workshops
  • UCI Speaker Series