Canadian Labour Congress

This document outlines how the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has integrated literacy and clear language into the life of the union.

The authors explain that in this context, “integration” means working towards a time when a literacy and clear language lens is applied to planning, strategizing, implementing, and evaluating everything the union does.

This document includes the following information:- Foreword - What is clear writing and design? - Writing in clear language- Clear design - Document testing - Oral and Internet communication - Advocating for clear writing - Clear language workshop - Workshop exercises - Workshop handouts- Workshop overheads- Resources

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.

This handbook has been developed by the Canadian Labour Congress as part of its action plan Learning in Solidarity: Sharing a Vision of Union Literacy. Unions intending to set up or strengthen a literacy program for their members will find this guide helpful.

This handbook is designed to help unions negotiate literacy and basic skills programs for their members. It is intended for those unions just starting to consider the possibility of bargaining for a literacy program, as well as unions that already have language on training but are seeking to add a basic skills component.

Clear language and design can help create a usable and attractive document that users understand the first time they read it. This short guide, prepared by the Canadian Labour Congress, offers simple advice about how to prepare a clear and understandable document. It offers suggestions about such key items as line length, justification, font, text density and illustrations.