LITERACY IMPLICATIONS FOR UNION EDUCATION

Literacy is an important issue for all union educators. Since forty-eight percent of Canadians have some difficulty reading and writing, a significant proportion of union members will also have difficulties. Unions must take this into account. While providing worker-centred union literacy programs is an essential step, it is only the beginning. Unions must also look at ways to make their ongoing processes and programs more accessible so that members who have difficulty reading and writing can participate fully.

One big access issue is clear language. The CLC has developed a manual for unions called Making it Clear: Clear Language for Union Communications. (See Section 5 - Resources)

Another key access issue is union education courses. Literacy needs to be an important concern for all union educators. Here are some ways to take literacy into account in union education:

1. Do make sure print materials are in clear language. Use the CLC clear language manual when developing union courses. Have materials checked for clear language before they go to print.
2. Don't assume that all participants are equally skilled or confident in oral communication, reading, writing and numeracy. Create an inclusive atmosphere - one where differences in skill level and background knowledge do not exclude people from participating fully.
3. Do establish a positive learning culture where it's okay to not know and where questions are expected and valued. Participants need to be able to say when they don't understand and to feel comfortable asking for explanations of unfamiliar terms or concepts.