Minimum wage initiative vs. cooperatives

Contrary to what the caregiving industry states about having to pay minimum wage or raise their prices, the fact is that there are caregiver cooperatives in Washington state — in Bellingham, Port Townsend and, soon, Olympia — paying a living wage to their worker-owners at a competitive price.

Low caregiver wages from franchisors are subsidized by taxpayers, who pay for the food stamps, utilities and other public assistance that many low-wage workers rely on to get by.

The cooperative business model is an elegant solution to achieving higher wages and a better livelihood for caregivers, and superior care for clients. The impact on quality of care is substantial:

▪  Greatly reduced turnover (industry average is 67 percent, ranging up to 125 percent) leads to more consistent care;

▪  Greater emphasis on teamwork in client care;

▪  An increase in average wages above poverty levels, plus bonuses based on coop profitability, reduce missed work due to financial stresses;

▪  More skill training and professional development; and

▪  More efficient administration, operations and marketing due to worker-ownership.

Caregiver cooperatives are the wave of the future ... now.

This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Minimum wage initiative vs. cooperatives."