Facilitator Intros &
Why We’re Here
Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives
is a grassroots organization of democratic workplaces dedicated to building workplace democracy in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
Sustainable Economies Law Center exists to bridge the gap in legal expertise needed to transition from destructive economic systems to innovative and cooperative alternatives.
Welcome Grounding
Agenda
Personal Well-being
Federal Resources
California Resources
City Resources
Cooperative Member Resources
Break out groups
Extra Time - Work Parties
Break Out Room Topics
Impact So Far
“Our cafe is closed indefinitely.”
“Our retail location is closed… we are projecting a revenue loss of ~$250K.”
“We are planning a total shut down within the next few weeks…. We are 34 workers and their families.”
“We are pretty much shut down, with a skeleton crew to cover critical functions.”
“Most folks have been encouraged to file unemployment.”
What Would Be Useful On This Call
Discussion of creating a fund between different nonprofits, labor orgs, and NoBAWC.
Applying for an SBA loan with 11 co-owners.
What are strategies for navigating financial challenges for our coops and our workers.
What local, state, & federal resources are available to co-ops?
Finding out what other cooperatives are trying to do and exploring how we can collaborate.
How are other food-service co-ops are reorganizing to stay open and serve their communities?
Emotional, Spiritual, & Psychological Resources
Federal Resources
Resources for Businesses
Resources for Individuals
Resources for Communities
English and Spanish
Webinars
www.usworker.coop/covid-19
Federal Resources
Funds
disbursed
Verification/
Loan processing
Apply for loan
Gather
documentation
Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration
The basic filing requirements include:
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/PaperForms (Form 1368 additional filing may be required)
DOCUMENT YOUR STORY
Any business loss, receipts, budget / projection documents
Federal Resources
Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration
Funds
disbursed
Loan Terms (case by case basis)
$25,000 or less - no collateral required
$25,000 or more - must be collateralized ((Personal residence, business assets) but a loan application may not be declined for a lack of available collateral
1 year of deferment, first payment not due until 1 year from now. 30 year repayment,
no pre-payment penalty
Processing time (~30-45 days)
Interest rate
Businesses and Small Agricultural Cooperatives without Credit Available Elsewhere - 3.75%
Non-Profit Organizations without Credit Available Elsewhere - 2.75%
Will this work for worker co-ops?
As you know, the USFWC is working with national partners to push for parity regarding access for worker co-ops on SBA loans. We strongly recommend co-ops apply for EIDL funding- this will push SBA create provisions for our co-ops
IMPORTANT
Make sure you application is complete and accurate.
Errors will delay your application by days or weeks
Biggest determinants
Call for Assistance 1-800-659-2955 | 7am-9pm ET | Spanish support is available
California Resources
State of California Resources:
Support for Businesses
For Businesses
State of California Resources:
Support for Employees
Employees can apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) with EDD.
How much is the payment? Range from $40-$450 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Eligibility: When filing for UI benefits, you must have earned enough wages during the base period to establish a claim, and be:
(laid off, furloughed, reduced hours)
Eligible:
NOT eligible:
State of California Resources:
Support for Employees
Q: Reduced hours or reduced wages?
Two options: (1) file for Partial UI or (2) ask your employer to sign up for the Workshare Program. The workshare program is for employers who, due to “reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.” Employer must enroll in the workshare program.
Q: Can I apply for SDI (State Disability Insurance)?
Only if you are currently employed and have a disability. You cannot receive both UI and SDI at the same time.
State of California Resources:
How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance
City of San Francisco
San Francisco Gov Deferment of Taxes and Licensing Fees
San Francisco Government Small Business Resiliency Fund
City of Oakland
City of Oakland Business Assistance Center
(510) 238-7398
https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/coronavirus-2019-covid-19-business-and-worker-resources
City of Berkeley
$3M in Emergency Grants to small businesses, nonprofit arts organizations, and tenants hardest hit by COVID-19.
Berkeley Small Business Revolving Loan Fund and MANY other sources here: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/loanfund/
Berkeley Chamber of Commerce
East Bay
Moratorium on Water Shutoffs
South Bay
San Jose
Silicon Valley SBDC: Free Webinars & Small Biz COVID Survival Guide https://www.svsbdc.org/covid-19, 408-248-4800
Santa Clara
Moratorium on electricity and water shutoffs for residential AND commercial customers. In effect until further notice.
Silicon Valley Strong
Comprehensive Resource Hub for the South Bay https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/mayor-and-city-council/mayor-s-office/san-jose-strong
NoBAWC Member Resources
Access to Healthy Food
COVID-19 Solidarity Development Fund (Teamworks)
Using the funds, TWDI will be able to offer stipends to TeamWorks co-op members who choose to participate in an intensive online education program and collaborative organizational development projects that members can do from home.
This project will get money immediately into members pockets so they can support their families AND will help overcome isolation by creating connections and learning using online platforms while we are all stuck at home.
Worker Cooperative Solidarity Response Fund (Work in Progress)
What: Designate around $25,000 for SELC to temporarily and part-time employ between 2 and 6 worker-owners of Bay Area worker cooperatives that are impacted by coronavirus.
Outreach: Put the word out ASAP through NoBAWC, limit to NoBAWC member coops
Application/Selection: Invite cooperatives to write to us nominating someone from their team (1-2 paragraphs) and ask the person nominated to say why they are interested (1-2 paragraphs). Include resume. One interview. A goal would be to not be too picky and to get people started ASAP.
The work: Mostly have the temp team do work that advances the cooperative movement, hopefully plugging in to work we’re already doing. See projects ideas below.
Broader impact/PR: Encourage other less-impacted worker coops to make a similar offer if they can create work for impacted coops. Do a PR storm about this so this can be a story about the power and resilience of cooperatives. This is a little like what happened with Mondragon when some coops closed.
Shared Capital Cooperative Payment Relief & Emergency Loans
Offering 60 days of payment relief to borrowers that are facing financial challenges due to Coronavirus.
Currently accepting requests for emergency loans and will be issuing additional guidance about these loans over the coming days.
Any cooperative needing to access financing should contact info@sharedcapital.coop.
Anticipated Webinar: March 25th (visit sharedcapital.coop)
Ways we as a community can support each other!
We can offer labor if others need workers. We can share/amplify social media messaging
We could potentially help others develop Solidarity Funds and online learning programs
we do have the capacity to conduct surveys using Qualtrics, which is a powerful tool for collecting data.
We can do basic food distribution and prep!
We can assist with building life-safety and legalization/permits if that happens to be an issue in the pandemic.
OMNI has several member collectives that could be reached out to that could help with community resiliency, food justice, citizen science, and free internet (mesh network).
NoBAWC Mutual Aid Network
Ways of staying connected after this call
theselc.org/cafe
NoBAWC Mutual Aid Network Database 2020
Future Calls?
BREAKOUT ROOMS
Breakout Topics
Report Back
What was one or two ideas or actions that you want to share with the group?
What are the highest priority needs you identified?
Tips from the community: how are you preparing yourself for the next three weeks?
Ways of staying connected after this call
theselc.org/cafe
NoBAWC Mutual Aid Network Database 2020
Future Calls?
It’s a party!
COMPOST SLIDES
Resources for Parents with Small Children