Action on climate change has traditionally been posed as contrary to the interests of workers, particularly in industries like mining andmanufacturing. Faced with the dilemmas of climate change, resource depletion and competitive disadvantage in the international market,

investors have withdrawn from many regions of Australia, sacking workers and abandoning communities. As dictated by neoliberalism, investors are empowered to act in order to uphold their financial interests while workers are at the mercy of market forces beyond their

control.

A key part of Earthworker’s business strategy is an innovative

form of collective marketing. Negotiations with trade unions

has resulted in the inclusion of the “Earthworker Clause” in several workplace enterprise bargaining

agreements (EBAs), allowing members to purchase a hot water

system in lieu of a pay rise - providing access to renewable

energy for thousands of families, whilst securing bulk demand for cooperatives to manufacture in

to. Purchasing a hot water system offers a practical way for workers

across the country to support their peers in coal reliant regions and cut their energy bills at the same time. Already the Earthworker Clause has

been included in 3 EBAs in Victoria. Members Equity Credit Union (bankmecu) has partnered

with Earthworker to provide low-interest finance for those

seeking to purchase Eureka’s future solar hot water systems.

Earthworker uses the cooperative model to reframe workers as decision makers in regional responses to climate change, re-locating power

(both economic and renewable) in regional communities. The cooperative model has an

extensive history, with some of the most notable examples coming from Europe and Latin

America. In this type of business, workers are also part owners and participate in the democratic

governance of the factory, either as direct participants in the governing body or through a board of worker elected representatives. The

surplus generated by the workers’ labour is not appropriated by the owner or shareholders as

profit. It is controlled by the workers, who may decide to use it for many other purposes such as making the business more sustainable, starting new cooperatives, local community projects, business expansion or increased wages. The

non-profit cooperative model is uniquely placed to produce goods at an efficient cost, as profit

margins to meet external owners shareholders are not required.

Earthworker is using a community investment in the form of debentures and cooperative capital to generate capital for the mutualisation of Everlast. This provides members with a unique opportunity to invest in sustainable regional

development. The first phase of this community buy in is in progress. Debentures are available for purchase at a return of 12% for a four-year term. More details can

be found at www.earthworkercooperative.com.au

Innovative economics - cultivating a Bulk

‘collective market’

The Bolt-On Solar Heat Pump is a highly efficient, stand-alone solar hot water system, designed by long-time

Australian company Siddons Solarstream to produce all the hot water required in residential and

small-medium commercial settings. It works by collecting ambient solar

thermal energy at down to -5 degrees Celsius and doesn’t require direct sunlight or solar panels. With

the the bolt-on, households can save up to 75% of their hot water

heating costs or up to one third of their household electricity bill,

around $600 per year for the average family home. It is a great

solar option for renters because it is easy to install and is portable.

The ultra-efficient evacuated tube solar hot water collector, designed by Australian company, SolarArk

is roof-top technology is perfectly suited to work with Eureka’s Future Solar Ready water storage tanks. It is 12-25% more efficient that other designs in the market. The roof top

system is durable against hail, impact and extreme cold, is easy to

install, is self cleaning and has higher STC ratings than other technologies or any Evacuated

Tubes competitors.

Whilst the first batch of the Siddons BOLT-ON has been manufactured overseas, Earthworker has made arrangements with to undertake

manufacturing an increasing number of components of the system in

Australia through worker-owned cooperatives, reversing the flight of manufacturing away from Australia.

Similar discussions have taken place with SolarArk and other local solar hot water

companies.

Earthworker cooperative is a unique initiative that draws on the cooperative model to concurrently address the issues of climate change and unemployment. The aim of Earthworker is to assist in setting up a

network of of worker owned cooperatives in sustainability focused industries and provide continued support to its affiliate cooperatives by

raising capital, sharing expertise and fostering collaboration. This approach has united previously divergent interest groups such as environmentalists, factory workers, trade unionists and business owners who are successfully collaborating to make worker-owned cooperative manufacturing a reality in Australia. Earthworker membership is open to anyone and membership

fees go directly to the start up of self-sustaining cooperatives.

Earthworker Cooperative

Making fair work in sustainable industries

The Co-operative Model

Green Investments

Working our way out

of climate crisis

Eureka’s Future: Australia’s first worker-owned manufacturing Cooperative

Earthworker’s current focus is the mutualisation of Everlast Hot Water Systems in Dandenong. Everlast will become Eureka’s Future

Cooperative, Australia’s first ever worker-owned manufacturing cooperative. The existing partnership between Everlast and Earthworker has allowed for the continuing production of solar hot water systems and the distribution of these systems as Eureka’s Future branded products.

This has provided income to Earthworker that will support the mutualisation of Everlast and has prevented the redundancy of 14

workers in the Dandenong factory. Securing the mutualisation of Everlast will allow Earthworker to expand production into Victoria’s

coal-dominated Latrobe Valley.

Earthworker is primarily focused on regional economies like the Latrobe and Hunter Valleys where coal and related industries have traditionally been the major sources of employment. At the center of Earthworker’s approach is a

shared commitment to social justice and the rights and wellbeing of workers’. While a structural shift away from coal and into efficiently utilised renewables

represents a win environmentally, this may be disasterous for the regional economies left behind. Earthworker is therefore committed to developing

alternative sources of employment in regional economies. Beginning with solar hot water systems in Vicotira, Earthworker aims to foster and support an

Australia-wide network of worker-cooperatives located in fossil-fuel-dominated and in-need regions, to manufacture an increasingly wide suite of sustainable

goods, including large scale renewable energy technologies.

Regional responses

Earthworker’s ‘Eureka’s Future’ solar hot water products include the Solar Ready Tank, evacuated tube heating

collector and Bolt-On solar heat pump. These are available for purchase individually or as a complete system including

specialist installation.

The Everlast ‘Solar-Ready’ tank is an Australian made, premium quality stainless steel tank. The tank facilitates

easy transition to solar water heating as it can be used with both solar thermal and electric water heating systems. It is

the only tank on the market that comes with 20 year warranty. A greater product lifespan promises best value for

money for buyers and a better impact environmentally.

products

Through partnerships with community organisations Earthworker provides solar hot

water systems to low-income households and community centres. Earthworker

dedicates 5% of all revenue to a social justice fund. In August this year Earthworker

collaborated with Father Bob Maguire and ACTU President Ged Kearney to launch the first of many social justice installations in a

Father Bob community house.

social justice

father bob maguire, ACTU President ged

kearney & victorian TraDes hall secretary

Luke hilkiari at the social justice installation

project officer Dave Kerin with bolt-on

Earthworker products (Left to right): solar Evacuated tube, electric heat pump & tank. perfect for an energy efficient high quality solar hot water system INstallation

www.earthworkercooperative.com.au