Thumbnail of handout 1 Thumbnail of handout 2 CLC - Canadian Labour Congress

Unit Contents

The Fight for the Living unit consists of eight activities:

  1. Using the Fight for the Living logo to generate discussion
  2. Dying for the Job - Reading and Discussion
  3. Reading comprehension - True/False
  4. Reading comprehension - cloze Exercise
  5. Labour proclaims Day of Mourning - Reading - comprehension
  6. Labour proclaims Day of Mourning - Unscramble the Facts
  7. Supportive Action - Reading and Discussion
  8. Health and safety - Action and Reflection

Unit activities

1. Using the Fight for the Living Logo to Generate Discussion

Distribute handout # 1 - Fight for the Living. The logo and key words have been selected from the original Day of Mourning pamphlet to introduce the overall theme. The handout is used to facilitate a pre-reading discussion about the topic and have participants relate it to their own experiences. These may be recorded on flipcharts, or participants may write and share their own stories. This sharing of experience corresponds to description, the first step of the action and reflection cycle. Related vocabulary, concepts and spelling patterns may be clarified as required.

2. Dying for the Job - Reading and Discussion

Write CLC on the flipchart. Ask participants if they know what it stands for. Write canadian Labour Congress on the flipchart.

Ask, what does the CLC do? How does it relate to our union? Explain that the CLC is a national body made up of affiliated unions from across Canada. See if participants are familiar with any CLC activities such as labour education.

Provide participants with copies of handout # 2 - Dying for the job. Facilitate reading as follows: silent reading, discussion and assisted reading. Write key terms on the flipchart and have participants give examples to demonstrate their meanings. Terms for clarification include: occupationally-related diseases; permanently disabled; compensable injuries; lobbying; petitioning; commemorate the day; and enforcement of health and safety regulations.

During the silent reading, participants are encouraged to read only for the main gist of the piece. They are encouraged to read ahead when they do not understand something and to try to grasp what they can.