Support CA Worker Co-ops through SB1407

The USFWC has been working alongside many of our members through the Worker-Owned Recovery California (WORC) Coalition, and we are excited to share an opportunity to show your support for worker co-ops in California!

We reach out to ask California and nationally based organization for support for SB 1407 (Becker) the CA Expanding Employee Ownership Act, which will advance worker ownership in our state by increasing resources for and reducing barriers to worker-led business models. It will benefit California workers, businesses, and local economies.

As proposed to be amended, SB 1407 will:

• Centralize information and resources: SB 1407 establishes the Employee Ownership Program—A dedicated hub—within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
• Support businesses and workers: SB 1407 creates the Employee Ownership Outreach and Technical Assistance Grant program to increase awareness of and support for worker ownership. It creates the Employee Ownership Feasibility Assessment Grant program to partially subsidize the cost of feasibility assessments for conversion to employee ownership.
• Streamlines funding: SB 1407 clarifies existing funding mechanisms to affirm that employee-owned transitions are an eligible use of funds.

We’re asking for your support to ensure this bill becomes law. The bill is expected to be heard in the California Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee soon.

Here are 3 things you can do to help pass this bill:

1. Send a Letter of Support by March 25th 
   1. Download the bill factsheet and make a copy of the template letter of support. Fill in your organization’s information.
   2. Email a copy of your letter of support to WORC Coalition Coordinator Bernadette bkingfitzsimons@seiu-uhw.org and she’ll upload it on your behalf or submit it directly to the Legislative Portal using this link, following the instructions outlined in the template letter of support.
2. Stay Connected. Fill out this google form to receive updates about the bill.
3. Join the Coalition. Visit www.worccoalition.org to learn more and join the coalition.