UNION ADVOCACY PLAN
1. Gather supporters to create a Clear Language Advisory Group
- Talk to existing committees within your local union that might support clear
language (education committee, health and safety committee, local union executive, joint training committee)
- Talk to people you think may be supportive (stewards, trainers, union staff,
local executive members)
- Be positive. Promote the benefits of clear language rather than criticize people
for unclear language
- Set goals for the group
2. Gather information about communication problems and collect samples of written
material
- Carry out an informal survey of local union members, committees and
executive:
- which documents cause the greatest confusion?
- what is the most common means of communicating information?
- ask for suggestions on how to improve written material
- Gather samples of union written material and assess them for readability,
language and design problems:
- assess material from a variety of sources to avoid offending a particular
author
- Think about possible problems that could result because of unclear writing:
- health and safety risk
- worker loses grievance
- Gather anecdotal information about communication problems
3. Report
- Prepare a report to the local union executive that shows the need for clear
language and the benefits of implementing a clear language and design plan:
- include the findings of your informal survey, readability assessment
and any examples of problems caused by unclear communications
- outline the benefits of using clear language and design (saves time and
money, avoids errors and confusion)
- make recommendations for improving the readability of the documents
that caused the most problems
- Develop an action plan with timelines and include suggestions for: - creating a
campaign to get everyone interested and motivated
- acknowledging clear writing and encouraging others to do so
- developing materials and examples for training
- holding clear language and design workshops
- Present the report and action plan to the local union executive
- Ask for feedback
- Gather support to pilot a program