Having presented a framework for worker-centred union based literacy curriculum in Section 1, and examples of materials based on this framework in Section 2, we will now present a summary of guidelines for implementing materials development projects. In this section we will consider:
Basing literacy materials on labour print resources is an excellent means for unions to strengthen communication with the general membership. When participants in union-based literacy programs read, discuss and relate union issues to their own lives, they go back out into the workplace and the community as informed members and As union communicators. Union-based literacy programs that use materials with a worker-centred perspective become available forum for organizing the organized.
Materials development projects can be implemented at various levels within labour:
Ideally, materials development projects can be undertaken at all these levels. Each would have a different focus, dealing with the content and issues specific to the context served. So, for example, a federation of labour could focus on provincial issues while an affiliate could focus on issues specific to its members in different parts of Canada. By working in different contexts and networking about what we are doing, we can avoid unnecessary duplication and build on each other's contributions. Information about projects in process could be shared and finished materials distributed so that there would be a rich supply of materials for worker-centered union literacy programs.