From Workers to Owners
What if the people doing the cleaning could also own the company?
The Vancouver Cleaning Co-op (TCC) is a worker-owned business serving clients across the Lower Mainland. Formed to challenge the status quo of the cleaning industry, TCC pairs professional service with a commitment to worker empowerment and community care.
A co-op model that puts dignity, equity, and empowerment first.
“We're proving that business can break down barriers for women, helping us gain financial independence and build something bigger than just a job. TCC exists to empower us. Our business works for us, not the other way around.”
In the traditional cleaning industry, workers—often racialized, immigrant, and newcomer women—face low wages, rigid schedules, and little to no voice in the decisions that shape their lives. TCC flips that model. As a co-op, cleaners are also owners, sharing both responsibility and reward. The result? Members feel respected and empowered, and clients notice the difference—high-quality work done with pride, professionalism, and care.
Why Co-op?
Unlike traditional businesses, co-ops give members a direct say in how the organization runs. At TCC, that means decisions reflect the lived experiences of cleaners themselves, not distant shareholders. Profits are shared equitably, schedules are flexible, and the business stays rooted in values of dignity and collective responsibility.
Partner Spotlight: BC Co-operative Association
This story is shared in collaboration with the British Columbia Co-operative Association, whose support helps bring co-op stories like The Vancouver Cleaning Co-op to a national audience.
Want to explore more co-op solutions? Visit our Co-op Resources page for tools, guides, and ways to get involved.