Inside The Cleaning Coop: What It Means to Be a Worker-Owned Co-op
Cleaning, Reimagined
When most people think of a cleaning company, they picture something pretty standard: employees working under a manager, decisions made from the top down, and profits going to the business owner.
At The Cleaning Cooperative (TCC), we decided to do things differently. We built a worker-owned co-op, and that changes everything.
So… what is a worker-owned co-op?
A worker-owned cooperative is a business that is owned and democratically governed by the people who work there. That means the cleaners, not a boss or external investor, have the final say in how the company runs.
Instead of punching a clock for someone else’s bottom line, we invest our time and energy into something we own together. We share in the profits, shape the policies, and support each other in building meaningful, sustainable work.
As the Canadian Worker Co-op Federation explains:
“Worker-owners manage the business and share its profits, risks, and rewards. Decisions are made democratically, usually on a one-member/one-vote basis, regardless of the amount of equity owned.”
How does a co-op business model work?
The co-op model is based on shared ownership, democratic governance, and community benefit. Unlike traditional businesses that aim to generate profit for outside shareholders, co-operatives exist to meet the needs of their members.
All co-ops, regardless of sector, follow the seven international co-operative principles:
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, training, and information
Cooperation among co-operatives
Concern for community
These principles guide how we operate at TCC. In a worker co-op like ours, the people doing the labour have a voice in every major decision and share in the business's success.
You can read more about the co-op model at the BC Co-op Association Knowledge Centre.
Why does that matter?
In the traditional cleaning industry, workers—often racialized, immigrant, and newcomer women—face low wages, inflexible schedules, and little to no input into decisions that directly impact their lives.
At TCC, we asked: what if cleaning work could be dignified, empowering, and even liberating?
We answered that question by building a workplace that:
Pays fairly – Our team members take home over 65% of our service fees.
Shares power – Every major decision is made with input from co-op members.
Cares deeply – We support one another’s wellbeing, honour family needs, and create space for open dialogue.
Recognizes expertise – Our members' backgrounds in nursing, administration, and education shape our protocols and business strategy.
We don’t work for the co-op. The co-op works for us.
Shared Ownership = Shared Responsibility + Shared Success
Being part of a worker-owned co-op means we’re not just cleaners. We are co-owners, strategists, and community builders. When we thrive, we all thrive.
That shared ownership builds pride and buy-in. Our members aren’t just showing up to do a job, they’re showing up for their business. And that’s something our clients feel in the care, attention, and professionalism we bring to every space.
This model also supports more resilient local economies. Worker co-ops are more likely to keep money circulating in their communities and less likely to relocate or shut down due to decisions made by distant executives.
The Bigger Picture
Worker co-ops are part of a global movement to create more just, democratic, and inclusive economies. In Canada alone, there are thousands of co-operatives operating in everything from housing to healthcare to farming. Together, they contribute over $54 billion annually to the economy (according to Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada).
Institutions like the Centre for Co-operative and Community-Based Economy study how co-ops are changing the business landscape by putting people before profit and emphasizing community resilience.
Across many sectors, co-ops are proving to be viable, profitable alternatives to traditional businesses, especially for groups that have been historically excluded or exploited.
Want to Learn More?
Whether you're curious about how co-ops work or interested in starting your own, here are a few great places to begin:
At The Cleaning Cooperative, we’re proud to be part of this movement. We believe that businesses can be fair, equitable, and still thrive. Because at the end of the day, a worker-owned co-op isn’t just a business model—it’s a blueprint for something better.
