How do worker cooperatives make sure workers, not just owners, have power in running the business and deciding how it works?

Worker cooperatives ensure workers have power through democratic governance and a direct stake in the business's success. The core mechanism is that workers are the owners. This means each worker, by virtue of being employed by the cooperative, also holds ownership shares. Unlike traditional businesses where ownership is separate from employment, in a worker cooperative, these roles are unified. This unification inherently transfers power to the workers. Decision-making power is primarily exercised through a democratic voting system. Typically, each worker-member has one vote, regardless of their position or seniority. This is known as the "one member, one vote" principle, a cornerstone of cooperative governance. This principle ensures that every worker has an equal say in significant business decisions. These decisions can include hiring and firing of management, setting wages and benefits, approving budgets, developing strategic plans, and even deciding on the distribution of profits. This contrasts sharply with traditional corporations where voting power is usually proportional to the number of shares owned, con....