Making it Clear: Clear Language for Union Communications

Use lists

Use a list if you have a number of related items.

make sure that all items in the list are in the same grammatical form

Before	After
A study of the policy may help the staff representative or grievance officer to determine whether or not it is clear and unambiguous, whether it was properly posted, whether it was discriminatory in its application and other useful information on which a defence in any disciplinary grievance concerning the policy may be raised.	Staff representatives and grievance officers should study every new management policy. They should ask the following questions: Is it clear? Was it properly posted? Does it apply equally to all members? The answers to these questions can help defend a member who has been disciplined for disobeying the policy.

TONE: HOW TO SPEAK TO YOUR READER

Our tone changes depending on the audience and purpose of the material. For example, the tone may be angry in a complaint to the employer. We use a friendly tone in an invitation to a community group to send a guest speaker to our next local meeting. The suggestions below assume the reader is a union member or other friendly reader.

Use positive statements

they tell the reader what to do, rather than what not to do
they are easier to read and are less threatening

Before	After
Do not open door until checking that the area is clear.	Check that the area is clear before you open the door