Workers to the Front: Celebrating a Decade of Worker-Led Progress and Solidarity
DEC 20, 2024 | TEAM COWORKER
Coworker celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and we invite you to join us as we reflect on a decade filled with solidarity, care, and transformative worker-led progress.
For ten years, Coworker has been providing workers with the resources, tools, and networks they need to lead urgent and lasting changes in their workplaces and economy.
This includes not only supporting petitions, strengthening networks, and nurturing worker leaders, but also providing a diverse range of resources—from strategic guidance to direct financial assistance.
By leveraging advanced tools like the Coworker Solidarity Fund, we’ve helped ensure that workers have the support they need to take collective action and build lasting improvements on the job.
The evolution from individual petitions to widespread movements, such as the unionization efforts stemming from early Starbucks petitions, exemplifies the power of organized, worker-led initiatives.
Because of this—this ten-year milestone is not just a celebration of time passed, but also a testament to workers' courage in standing up, speaking up, and bringing about meaningful changes. It's also about forging ahead with renewed energy and commitment.
We invite you to be part of this journey, to learn from the past, and to contribute to a future where every worker has the tools and support to advocate for their rights and well-being.
A Decade of Worker-Led Impact
When Coworker was founded, our mission was clear: to put workers at the forefront of creating positive changes in their workplace. We believe that an inclusive economy is built by workers empowered to enact real workplace democracy.
“Coworker has guided countless people through their very first actions as workplace organizers. From Starbucks baristas and REI workers, to Google employees and Uber drivers, we have welcomed people into the labor movement with one question: how can we help? I am so proud of this legacy and the concrete ways in which that act of welcoming has grown the community of labor activists in the past decade.”
Michelle Miller, co-founder of Coworker.org
As we reflect on the years that have passed, the numbers tell a story of activism and engagement that exceeded what we ever imagined:
- Over 3 million actions taken by workers committed to improving their workplaces.
- More than 2 million signatures on thousands of petitions, each one sparking discussions among workers and planting the seed for potential transformative change.
- Coworker is now a vibrant community of 1.1 million unique members, with over 500,000 coworkers who have connected, organized, and advocated together.
Rather than statistics, these figures represent real people who are making a real difference in their lives and the lives of their colleagues and communities.
Highlights from the Past Ten Years
Our journey with workers is filled with courageous stories and unwavering hope for change.
From petitions that led to policy changes to collective actions that raised awareness on critical issues, workers have used Coworker.org as a platform to make their voices heard. In the months ahead, we will be sharing these stories, lessons, and the work that’s left to do to ensure our collective liberatory futures.
We'll cover petitions turned campaigns that highlight the wide range of industries and issues Coworker.org has engaged with, from hazard pay for essential workers, workplace safety, impact of tech, or advocating for fair scheduling practices.
Petitions that sparked movements:
- Starbucks Tattoos Policy Change: Over 25,000 signatures on a single petition led to Starbucks updating its dress code to allow visible tattoos, embracing a more inclusive workplace culture. This and similar petitions sparked a national movement of Starbucks workers collaborating to build power in the workplace.
- USPS COVID-19 Protections: Nearly 89,000 workers advocated for better safety measures during the pandemic, resulting in enhanced protections for postal workers nationwide. From grocery to retail, early COVID and PPE petitions helped inspire other essential workers to take action and win big.
- Etsy Sellers Unite: More than 87,000 small business owners rallied against policy changes, highlighting the importance of supporting independent sellers over large corporations. The cross-class collaboration between Etsy sellers and tech workers of Etsy have continued to inspire workers to organize within their workplaces and collaborate with other workers impacted by their products.
- American Airlines - support retirees - Roughly 29,000 people rallied behind retired American Airlines employees to protect their benefits, with over 65,000 workers taking action on improving wages, current and retirement benefits for American Airlines workers.
“I'm so proud of Coworker's role in resourcing workplace organizing inside companies and industries that weren't yet on the radar of the broader labor movement. From early support of Uber drivers and Googlers, Starbucks and REI retail workers, and Amazon warehouse workers, Coworker has often been workers' first experience with the labor movement. By providing no-strings-attached pro bono support, we built deep trust with workers across a wide variety of sectors and occupations.”
Jess Kutch, Co-founder of Coworker.org
Over the years, Coworker has also incubated and supported a wide range of worker-led networks and leaders who have mobilized across various industries—from gig platforms and tech giants to retail, logistics, banking, and beyond.
- Groups like Gig Workers Rising, Amazonians United, and the Alphabet Workers Union have organized around equitable pay, workplace safety, and corporate accountability.
- Coworker initiatives like The Listening Collective and Shipt Workers Data Inquiry Project advocated for transparency and fair use of data.
- Real Women in Trucking and USOLMT highlight the specific challenges faced by workers in trucking, massage therapy, and other fields often overlooked in mainstream labor dialogues.
High-profile petitions at companies like Google, Meta, Apple, and Pinterest illustrate how workers within major tech firms are confronting systemic inequities and challenging discriminatory practices.
Meanwhile, leaders like Rylinda Rhodes, who used Coworker.org to address sexual harassment at Comcast, exemplify how individual voices can spark wider movements, gaining support from fellowship programs and legal funds.
Across every sector—whether it’s gig work, traditional retail, tech, or creative industries—these networks and leaders share a common goal: to secure fair treatment, safer working conditions, meaningful benefits, and a voice at the table for all workers.
The Broader Movement and Where We Stand Today
The stories of workers past and present, as well as the collective power of workers, continue to inspire us in this critical time of labor organizing and rapid technological change. The past few years have seen a new generation of leaders emerge, ready to meet the moment with determination and innovation.
As we enter this new era, we remain committed to being a conduit for these voices, providing resources and support to those most impacted. The ongoing success and well-being of workers continues to be our north star.
Coworker’s vision is clear:
- Expanding Our Reach: We aim to strengthen our infrastructure to support even more workers across various industries by clarifying our objectives and services.
- Fostering Connections: By filling critical gaps in the way of collaboration, we hope to encourage deeper connections and resource sharing among workers.
- Serving as a Welcome Mat: As a field catalyst for the labor movement, we aspire to be an entry point for the 90% of workers who are not yet unionized but are eager to improve their workplaces.
In the coming weeks, we'll share detailed stories of triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned. We'll highlight the top industries where workers have organized, delve into successful collaborations and partnerships, and celebrate the innovative experimentations that have shaped our approach.
“From natural disasters to national pandemic, when working people come together to support one another, we all win. Nothing has confirmed this more than seeing everyday people, like tech and warehouse workers, or truckers and baristas, work together across differences to improve their lives by improving their workplaces. I’m grateful everyday that Coworker is able to support them in the fight for a better economy for all of us.”
Nur, Executive Director, Coworker.org
Join Us in the Reflection and Celebration of 10 Years of Coworker
Stay tuned for our upcoming reflections, where we'll explore the impactful petitions turned campaigns and initiatives that have defined our first decade. Together, let's continue to center workers in the pursuit of a more equitable and liberatory future.
In solidarity,
Team Coworker
Coworker.org is the petition platform for workplace organizing, providing resources and support to help everyday people win meaningful change in the workplace. Donate now to support worker-led organizing to raise wages, end discrimination, and make our economy better for all.