3. Get information from your union and federations on basic skills training.

Seek help and advice from:

• Your union's education department.
• Another local with a successful program.
• A CLC or federation of labour education or literacy co-ordinator.
• Read about the basic skills programs of other locals and unions.

4. Keep the leadership, the bargaining committee and, above all, the membership informed during this stage. Build consensus about trying to start a program.

Once you have some idea of the extent of your members' literacy needs, hold a meeting of those involved with the issue to talk about ways to build strong membership support for a program.

It is not enough to gain the support of members who need basic skills programs. You also need the support of union leaders and members who don't need these programs.

Try to develop a positive union culture around basic skills training. Many members might not immediately see the benefits of the union becoming involved.

Here are someways to raise the level of awareness and support for basic skills training in the union:

• Write articles for the union newspaper.
• Post information on the union website.
• Put the issue on the agenda at regular membership meetings and bring it up at important committee meetings.
• Get the message across that basic skills programs benefit more than he members who participate in them; they strengthen the whole union.
• Link basic skills programs to other aspects of training and labour education.

5. Should you tell the employer?

Should you sound out the employer on a basic skills program a head of time? What is the best time if you decide "yes"? Should you wait until the program is more clearly defined?

The answers to these questions depend on the labour-management climate in your workplace. It is a judgement call and your local union is best positioned to make it.

Keep in mind that if you are raising basic skills training at public meetings or in your news letter, the employer will probably find out anyway.