This handbook is designed to help unions negotiate literacy and basic skills programs for their members. It is intended for those just starting to consider the possibility of bargaining for a literacy program.
More informationIntegrating Equity, Addressing Barriers: Innovative Learning Practices by Unions, Second Edition
This newly revised and expanded edition of the June 2007 publication Integrating Equity, Addressing Barriers: Innovative Learning Practices by Unions comes at a time of growing economic crises. Waves of layoffs and financial insecurity are increasing barriers to education and training, particularly faced by workers of colour, Aboriginal workers, immigrants, youth and women.
More informationEvaluation of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Literacy Program – Summary Report
The CUPE literacy program was evaluated after five years of funding through a grant from the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) . This document reflects on the past work, but is also used in the strategic planning process by the CUPE Literacy Reference Group to help chart the course for future work .
More informationYou’re Welcome! A guide for planning union conferences in clear language
Over the last few years, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), unions, federations of labour and labour councils have taken steps to integrate a literacy and clear language approach into our communications, our courses and our conferences. We thought our experience organizing these events might be useful to others who want to try this approach when planning workshops and conferences. To that end, we developed this guide.
More informationLearning for our lives: A union guide to worker-centred literacy
This handbook is part of the Canadian Labour Congress action plan "Learning in Solidarity: Sharing a Vision of Union Literacy". It dispays information gained to help the labour movement play a more active role and have a stronger voice in worker-centred literacy.
More informationUp to the Certification Challenge: A Study of Education Initiatives to Support CUPE Members
This study examines how basic skills programs can support members to qualify for their operator certificate. The study also looks at other ways CUPE can help, such as calling for changes to the training system, calling for a Canadian exam and demanding employment security.
More informationIt’s Our Right
A showcase of workplace education programs and learner stories.
More informationSees for Change – A Curriculum Guide for Worker-Centred Literacy
This curriculum guide is for trade union educators who are involved in setting up and implementing literacy programs for union members. The guide identifies what makes a trade union approach different from other approaches to workplace literacy. It provides guidelines for curriculum writers and instructors who need to develop materials for union programs.
More informationWhy care about literacy and essential skills?
We think there are some very good reasons to put literacy and essential skills on your "to do" list. Even if you're a busy union executive member with barely time to keep up with your members' existing issues and concerns. We'd like to offer you some ways to do this that can help you meet your goals.
More informationThe Clarity Kit 3 – Analyzing Municipal Communications: the Clarity Audit
A Clarity Audit is a tool for gathering information about how an organization communicates, from the perspective of both management and unionized employees. It gives everyone a change to comment on the clarity and quality of the communications they encounter in the municipal workplace.
More informationPart of Everything We Do: Integrating literacy in the Canadian labour movement
Article of Literacies #6, fall 2005 of the Literacy Journal.
More informationThe Clarity Kit 1 – Developing a Strategy for Clear Language in Municipal Communications
This document is a tool to be used cooperatively by both management and union advocates. We have modeled the process on that used to set up joint labour/management workplace literacy programs in many Canadian municipalities.
More informationThe Clarity Kit 2 – Promoting Clear Communications in Your Municipality
This documents answers questions such as: What is clear language? What problems does unclear language cause in municipal workplaces? How do municipalities benefit from clear language?
More informationWriting our Voices – Stories from UFCW Literacy Students
This booklet is a compilation of stories from workers in the UFCW Local 832 Literacy Program. The UFCW Local 832 Training Centre, in Winnipeg, Manitoba established it's literacy program in 2000. The program consists of free one-to-one tutoring or small group learning for union members in Winnipeg and Brandon.
More informationUp to the Certification Challenge: Study Highlights
This booklet is about ways union education can support workers to meet licensing or certification requirements for their jobs.
More informationPart of Everything We Do – Integrating literacy into the Canadian labour movement
This newsletter is about what literacy work is, its background, structure, funding, etc.
More informationClear Language Screen and Checklist
This document is a tool to help union and other social justice groups to communicate and organize more effectively. Clear language and design help create usable and attractive documents.
More informationOrganizing and Running a Workforce Education Program: A guide for labour councils
This manual is a report and a guide for labour councils in Nova Scotia: what they are, what is their purpose, their financing, logistics, etc.
More informationLabour Literacy Resources: 1990-2012
This is a bibliography listing items that were developed for a labour and ofter broader audience. Several of the resources were produced in partnership with non-labour organizations. In addition to the items listed, unions and central labour bodies have also produced reports and resources for an internal audience as well as promotional and awareness-raising tools such as posters, leaflets, t-shirts, CLC Clear Language Ruler, etc.
More informationCUPE Integrates Literacy – A Canadian Labour Congress Case Study
This study features how CUPE has taken steps to move from a literacy project to ‘integrating’ literacy and clear language into the life of the union.
More informationBuilding Union Capacity to Coordinate Worker Education and Training Projects
This research is intended to better equip unions to develop and manage worker education and training project.
More informationA Social and Holistic Approach to Numeracy
This booklet introduces practitioners and others involved in adult numeracy education to a social and holistic approach.
More informationWorker driven training: A research report
By R. Groff, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union
More informationA Union Passport to Learning: Review of the Literature
This literature review focuses on union members as adult learners and makes the case for union-led programs.
More informationStrategies for worker-centred learning: A handbook for unions on bringing union “visions” to “actions”
This handbook displays material and examples to assist with the implementation of organizational planning in national or regional unions and federations of labour.
More information“So we can make our voices heard: The Ontario Federation of Labour’s BEST Project on worker literacy,” in Basic Skills for the Workplace
This study describes a labour perspective on worker literacy, seeing literacy as a means to empower worker rather than an end in itself.
More informationA Quest for Learning: The Canadian Labour Movement and Worker Literacy Education
This brochure is an introduction to the long history of literacy programs of 1850 workers in the 1990 .
More informationReading the World: Learning in Solidarity
Our Times Special Literacy Issue (November 2001)
More informationPart of Everything We Do: Integrating literacy into the Canadian labour movement
This article by Tamara Levine published in Literacies, talks about how unions are moving away from an approach in which literacy is appended to the regular work of the union to one that emphasizes how literacy and clear language can be part of everything the union does.
More informationLearning Together: Solidarity at Work (newsletter)
Bulletins from the Canadian Labour Congress from 1999 to 2007.
More informationLearning in Solidarity: A Union Approach to Worker-Centred Literacy
This article by Tamara Levine published in the periodical Just Labour, talks about the critical role unions play in workers education. Canadian unions are developing a holistic and democratic vision and practice of worker-centred literacy.
More informationNational Learning Needs Assessment Summary Report
This report examines the literacy needs of CEP members.
More informationLabour-Initiated Literacy Programs in Canada
This document is a report prepared Wendy Johnston for the National Literacy Secretariat regarding the evolution and concerns surrounding labour-based literacy programs for union members.
More informationWhy is CUPE involved with literacy work?
This animated video shows why CUPE is involved with literacy work.
More informationIntegrating Equity, Addressing Barriers: Innovative Learning Practices by Unions
This document is composed of 46 accounts of educational programs initiated by unions across Canada. It focuses on programs that address systemic barriers to learning, including age, race, gender, literacy, language, geography and disability.
More informationEssential Skills and the Labour Movement: A Research Report
This report written by Sue Folinsbee features Labour’s involvement and experience with essential skills, and opinions from a labour perspective.
More informationLiteracy and Life Long Learning: The CEP Experience
A Discussion Paper on Unions and Literacy
This paper was written by Tamara Levine and proposes a role for the CLC in relation to coordination, promotion, and the production and dissemination of literacy resources.
More informationChanges in the Rate of Community, Workplace and Union Participation by Learners in a Workplace Education Program: A Survey of WEST Participants and Course Leaders
The results of this survey suggest that a large percentage of learners and course leaders increased their participation in union, workplace and community activities after involvement in the WEST program given by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
More informationInvasion of the Space Lobsters
When an advanced race of giant lobsters from outer space land on Earth, no one can figure out why they've come. A complete failure to communicate on both ends leads to panic and pandemonium.
More informationBuilding Union Capacity to Coordinate Worker Education and Training Projects: Lifelong Learning Action Research Project Report
The project report provides a snap shot of union management of worker education and training projects, and of the supports needed for coordinators of such union work to strengthen their effectiveness.
More informationWorking Together, Moving Ahead
This video features a joint labour-management program for hospital workers in B.C.
More informationBEST for Us
Lullaby Mission
Online game: a fun exercise about clear language.
More informationLiteracy is a Union Issue
Do your members know their contract? A clear language guide for CUPE locals
This guide is about the importance of a clear contract between workers and the union. A clear contract helps workers exercise their rights and use the benefits they are entitled to.
More informationLighting the Way with Workplace Education
Newsletter : Workplace education news
More informationThe Clarity Kit: Effective Communication for Municipalities
This three-part kit is designed to be used cooperatively by both management and union advocates to set up joint labour/ management workplace literacy programs in many Canadian municipalities.
More informationA Lifetime of Opportunity
Building Skills for the Future
18 minutes, 2004 Chronicles the evolution of the training centre established in 1998.
More informationKeep It Clear Checklist
Laminated desk aid, one side in English, the other side in French.
More informationUnion-based Literacy
This 5 day workshop has a union approach to workplace literacy and clear language. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa.
More informationTrain-the-trainer: Clear language and design
This 5 day workshop on Clear Language aims at training facilitators. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa.
More informationSteel Literature: Making Things Clear
This 3 day workshop is about knowing whether members can read, write, speak and communicate. Participants achieve an understanding of the limitations that some members have. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Union Development Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Ottawa.
More informationSay what you mean: clear language is a union issue
This workshop builds awareness about the need for clear language in labour unions. It is available in French. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa.
More informationPeer Learning Guides
This workshop aims at training union members to be tutors in workplace education programs. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Union Development Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Ottawa.
More informationLearning at Work – It’s Our Right!
This workshop shows how union locals can play an active role in literacy. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Union Development Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Ottawa.
More informationIntegrating literacy into union education
This booklet reviews instructing methods, looks at teaching styles and examines materials from a literacy and clear language perspective.
More informationClear Language for Union Communications
This workshop will increase the participants understanding of the principles and benefits of clear language and design. They will become familiar with the tools and techniques of writing in clear language.
If you are interested in using it, please contact the Union Development Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Ottawa.
Clear Language
This workshop on Clear Language has 9 hour, 2 day, 2.5 days and weeklong versions. If you are interested in using it, please contact the Union Development Department of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Ottawa.
More informationWriting Our Voices: Stories from UFCW Literacy Students
This book features stories written by workers attending the UFCW Local 832 Literacy Program in Winnipeg.
More informationWork! Telling Our Stories
This book provides interesting stories for adult learners told from a worker’s perspective. It includes a glossary of labour terms.
More informationUnseen Healers: A History of Hospital Workers
This book records life in two Toronto hospitals in the 90's. It was written by 31 hospital workers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2001 (Toronto General) and Local 1320 (Scarborough Centenary) and learners in MLEC Adult Basic Education classes.
More informationToo Young to Retire, Not Too Old to Hire!
This booklet records the stories of eight workers who lived through a plant closure in Toronto and York Region.
More informationTaking Control: A Workbook of Workers’ Writings
This book was written by workers attending classes at the Metro Labour Education Centre in the Toronto area. It talks about their views on free trade, racism, and living in Toronto. It also includes classroom activities.
More informationShoes in Canada
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationProblem Solving Union Style
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationPaper: It Doesn’t Grow on Trees
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationOur Stories
This book was written by workers attending English as a Second Language classes of the Metro Labour Education Centre. It talks about life stories: jobs, hopes and frustration, children, English learning experiences and immigration.
More informationThe Open Window
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationThe Long Road Home
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationLabour Verses: Poetry of Anger, Poetry of Faith
This booklet was written by workers attending courses at the Metro Labour Education Centre in the Toronto area, about their politics, homelands, hopes and aspirations.
More informationAn Injury at Work
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationIn Our Own Words
This book features stories written by members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in their English upgrading class.
More informationI Am On My Way Home
This book tells the story of Bob Newby's seventh child's birth. A member of Canadian Auto Workers Local 112, he learned to read and write with the Metro Labour Education Centre in the Toronto area.
More informationGo For It
This book was published by the BEST program of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
More informationDemand Your Education
This poem was written for International Literacy Year by workers of the Toronto General Hospital.
More informationComing to Toronto
This book describes Stanley Myshrall's story. A member of Local 2 of the Energy and Chemical Workers Union, he had to fight to learn to read and write after the school system failed him.
More informationWorking in the Hospital
This is a workbook for beginner and intermediate English as a second language learners in a hospital setting.
More informationWork! Telling Our Stories: A Manual for Educators
This book compiles workers stories, and is based on a workshop that trained union volunteers to collect stories from other workers. It includes facilitator notes and handouts.
More informationWe Are Equal Aren’t We?
This is a series of workbooks on anti-racism for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
More informationStand Up! Speak Out! A Worker-Centred Literacy Curriculum for Hotel and Restaurant Workers
This curriculum for hotel workers displays union and work-based themes with literacy objectives.
More informationA Social and Holistic Approach to Numeracy
This publication displays a social and holistic approach to numeracy learning into workplace and workforce literacy programs.
More informationSeeds for Change: A Curriculum Guide for Worker-Centred Literacy
This guide identifies what makes a trade union approach different from other approaches to workplace literacy, and provides guidelines for curriculum and instructors.
More information“Reading for Progress” Briarpatch
This Workbook was designed for union literacy classes, to help workers improve essential skills, critical reflection, analysis and action.
More informationOrientation to ISO 9000: A Training Manual
This training manual introduces the concepts and vocabulary of ISO 9000 in clear language.
More informationThe Integrated Learning Program: A curriculum sample
This is a sample curriculum designed to deliver a communications and computer skills program.
More informationHeritage of Struggle: Canadian Labour History Workbook
This English language workbook uses labour history as a content for multi-level English classes, both English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education.
More informationGetting the Credit You Deserve: Portfolio Development Course for ESL Speakers
This book is a 60-hour course that helps adult second language speakers to have access to Prior Learning Assessment at Ontario community colleges.
More informationCrosswords and Wordgames for Workers
This booklet has 2 volumes and provides different levels of fun learning activities such as crosswords and wordgames.
More informationWhy care about literacy and essential skills?
This document helps busy union executive members understand why literacy and essential skills are vital issues for them and their membership.
More informationCAW B.E.S.T. Program and Instructor Handbook
This document is the Program and Instructor Handbook of the BEST Program designed for the Canadian Auto Workers Union.
More informationPutting Literacy on the Public Agenda: A Briefing Package for CUPE Activists
This document was created to help CUPE members to advocate for literacy and essential skills programs. It provides a checklist and summary of provincial and territorial literacy activities and an overview of how each province and territory was supporting literacy programming in 2012.
More informationLiteracy is a right – Fact Sheets
This document is composed of five fact sheets that focus on literacy as a right, on proven advantages of workplace programs, on labour’s vision for government support, on best practices and on ways to measure success.
More informationIt’s Our Right: A Showcase of Workplace Education Program Learner Stories
This booklet highlights stories of different CUPE locals across Canada that have successfully set up workplace education programs for their members.
More informationWorkplace Literacy: Funding Sources and Partnership Opportunities for Labour
This research report was focused on funding available to labour to support literacy activities in 2006.
More informationSkills for Tomorrow
This kit is designed to help union committee members get essential skills training started in workplaces. It contains modules on understanding workplace literacy, effective committee structures, etc.
More informationOrganizing and Running a Workforce Education Program: A guide for labour councils
This manual guides labour councils and other groups through the process of organizing and running adult education programs. It is based on a successful pilot project offered by the South Shore Labour Council in Nova Scotia.
More informationMaking it Happen Handbook: Implementing Labour’s Agenda on Training
Literacy Awareness through Labour Councils: a step-by-step guide
This guide shows how labour councils can raise awareness about the union’s role in literacy and build partnerships.
More informationLearning for Our Lives: A Union Guide to Worker-Centred Literacy
This handbook helps unions explore the issue of literacy from a labour perspective and guides them in the planning and implementation of their program.
More informationThe “L Campaign” Information Kit
This kit includes union-based information and resources around workforce literacy issues such as frequently asked questions, a glossary, a summary of benefits, etc.
More informationKeep It Clear: A Steelworker Literacy Guide
This guide aims at helping unions to improve the basic skills of their members and stewards while completing their duty.
More information