CUPE PEI Literacy Committee: (May 2010 - 2012)

CUPE PEI Literacy Committee: (May 2011- 2013)

Division Liaison: Karyn Noble, Local 3260, CUPE PEI Recording Secretary noblehouse@pei.sympatico.ca (National LWG Committee Rep.)
Chair: Vacant
Health Sector: Linda Sherren, Local 805 rlsherren@eastlink.ca
Education Sector: Linda Jones, Local 3260, CUPE PEI Treasurer lmjones@edu.pe.ca
University Sector: Linda Callaghan, Local 1870 lmcallaghan@upei.ca
Municipal Sector: George Ward, Local 501, w- 628-6647, h- 566-3724
Island EMS/ Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home & Group Homes Sector: Annie MacPhee, Local 3324bamacphee@pei.sympatico
Staff Advisor: Louise Firlotte, National Education Rep.

2010/2012 CUPE PEI Literacy Committee Mandate: Click here to review

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I was pleased to see the recent resolution passed by the Medical Society of PEI urging the government to develop a provincial pre-school literacy strategy. The Medical Society recognizes literacy as a key determinant of health and that early experience can shape children in many aspects of life. This resolution will promote literacy in the early years where lifetime patterns are formed. Studies have shown that up to 60 percent of Canadians struggle with health literacy. They have difficulty understanding, interpreting and using printed materials to manage the health care of their families. One way to promote health literacy is to distribute health information in plain language. The Alliance has done research on the need for plain language when it comes to health information. Dealing with health care can be a complex and anxiety ridden task. Understanding the health information that is presented to you is essential to making informed decisions about your health. Good literacy contributes to a better standard of living, better health and prosperity. In fact, daily reading has been identified as the single most important factor for improving health literacy.

Catherine O'Bryan
Executive Director
PEI Literacy Alliance

Literacy Working Group Report to the National Executive Board March 2011  New!

The NEW Spotlight on Learning: Becoming Agents of Change Website FINALLY Here! www.spotlightonlearning.ca

For three days, delegates, presenters and speakers came together at the Spotlight on Learning: Becoming Agents of Change conference to learn, share and find ways to make literacy and essential skills fundamental in homes, communities and workplaces across Canada. Change begins with each of us and is achieved through the efforts of all of us. Become an Agent of Change and visit the new Spotlight on Learning website today!

Literacy Resources on the Web

Literacy Poster Order Form New

CUPE PEI Literacy Survey Download New

Literacy and Unions - building stronger voices.

Canada’s largest union is celebrating international literacy day. “Literacy and essential skills programs help workers develop new skills for a changing workplace, they enable workers to better participate at home and in their communities,” says Paul Moist, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

CUPE's Literacy Program is celebrating 10 years of literacy activism. Since July 2000, CUPE has worked with employers, governments and educators to develop workplace-based literacy training.

We live in a world where computers have changed the way people work. Restructuring and privatization can threaten jobs. The need for training and upgrading has never been greater,” said Sylvia Sioufi, CUPE literacy program coordinator.

CUPE aims to set up programs that meet its members’ unique needs. Workplace education programs offer courses in such things as writing, reading skills, numeracy and basic computer training. “From helping our members and their employers rewrite collective agreements in clear language to cutting jargon at work and in the union, CUPE’s Literacy Program is changing how the union and its members interact,” added Sioufi.

Workplace education is a right and we challenge all employers to share the responsibility in providing it,” said Moist.

For more information:

Paul Moist, CUPE media relations: (613) 209-2675
Sylvia Sioufi, coordinator CUPE

National Literacy Working Group Report 2010 Download Here

National Literacy Working Group Report Highlights, December 2009 Download Here

Health Literacy in Canada: A Healthy Understanding by Canadian Council on Learning, T. Scott Murray et al. (2008) (PDF)Download Here

Literacy across Canada -  Canadian Council on Learning

To view the full interactive map Click Here

Canadian Council on Learning releases report on e-learning

Download Here

May 2009 National Literacy Working Group Report

Download Here

CMEC Launches Literacy Forum Legacy

April 15, 2009 – A new, innovative resource aimed at improving literacy levels in Canada was released today by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). The legacy of knowledge and materials gathered from last year’s Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum provides on-line learning and teaching resources that will benefit educators, learners, literacy providers, and people across Canada, now and in the future.
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National Literacy Working Group Report

It is with great pleasure that I represent the CUPE members of Prince Edward Island on the National Literacy Working Group (LWG). The Literacy Working Group met in Ottawa twice this past year in December 2007 and April 2008. A report of the December meeting is posted on the CUPE PEI website at www.cupepei.ca under the “National Committee“ tab on the home page.

In April I attended a one day All Committee Meeting, followed by one and a half days of LWG meetings. Both were very productive, informative and interesting. At the All Committee meeting Brother Paul Moist, National President welcomed and congratulated the over 200 committee members that were selected and thanked all the Staff advisors to the committees. He explained that the role of the committees was advisory, shaping policy. Their work should cross over amongst different committees, and stressed the importance of applying an equity lens to all their work.

Brother Genereux, National Secretary Treasurer spoke and challenged the members saying, “We can change things. How can we set the course to really progress and keep on changing things…not only for ourselves but for our communities?”

Committee members in small groups were asked to reflect on one burning question related to committee work. Each committee group was then asked to identify one or two projects/ issues to collaborate with a committee or committees. The LWG decided to choose Clear Language as the project they could help committees with. Committees were then asked to organize themselves so that they could talk to each committee and find out how they could help them.

The Keynote Speaker, Glen Murray from the Canadian Urban Institute was very interesting and dynamic. He was the first labour endorsed mayor elected in Winnipeg. He praised CUPE’s “great capacity to innovate”. He stated that “CUPE puts the wheels under marginalized communities and helps them achieve their dreams.” His final advice to CUPE members was, “Look all around you and do all you can do to change the world, never give up, and never look for a cheap tax break!”

A World Café was organized where members talked in small groups and discussed the following two questions: What could National Committees do to advance CUPE’s Strategic Directions, and What could National Committees do to contribute to the Fight Against Privatization and Contracting Out? Members rotated from table to table and finally a wall of possible actions was created out of very lively and productive table discussions.

The next one and a half days I attended the Literacy Working Group meeting. The group’s members provided feedback from the previous day’s discussions. Most of the committees that our group spoke with could benefit, and expressed interest in applying a Clear Language lens to all the work they do. The LWG identified the Political Action Committee and the Contracting Out and Privatization Committees as possible key committees to collaborate and follow up with in the future.

The LWG is working on, and has completed a number of these priority items:

• Creation of a Bargaining Handout: Making the Case for Literacy, Essential Skills and Training
• Research the learning needs of Aboriginal workers
• Develop a sector - wide approach for literacy and training
• Work with National Committees to provide Clear Language
• Develop a Clear Language strategy for CUPE staff
• Develop a joint Clear Language Workshop with CAMA (Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators) to complement the “Clarity Kit”
• Research the needs of Francophone workers outside of Quebec
• Developing a Lobby Kit to support Political Action on literacy and training
• Work on a new Pilot Project: Clear Language grievance process
• Adapt the “Clarity Kit” for a Francophone audience
• Translate the Literacy in the Workplace Workshop into French and train facilitators

Committee members looked at the new Bargaining Handbook that is being developed. They provide feedback on what should be in it, and how will it be used. As well, the Committee looked at the Advocates Kit and discussed what are the best and most useful pieces in it, and what pieces could be added or removed. Other discussions centered around the question: What are some new tools that would be useful in our advocacy role?

I was please to attend the Pan Canadian Literacy Forum this April in Saint John. This two day event was organized by the Councils of Ministers of Education. Its theme was “Literacy: Passport to Prosperity.” This unique Forum happened in 10 different locations simultaneously all across Canada. The federal government is giving money to the provinces in the form of Labour Market Agreements. Four provinces have currently signed agreements. PEI has not. The provinces would then be responsible for Literacy.

CUPE LWG members from across Canada, along with three members from the National Aboriginal Council attended. It was very important that CUPE had a labour presence at this forum in different locations. All across Canada CUPE’s position was clear:

• The provinces should use the money for training employed workers with low literacy skills (no grade 12)
• The money should be spent on Workplace Programs
• CUPE wants programs that work and are relevant to the needs of our workers - we know what works and shared many success stories from across the country
• There needs to be a formal mechanism or role for labour to provide meaningful input and expertise to give government advice on how to spent the money

Here on PEI I have continued to build awareness and advancing CUPE’s Literacy work, advocating for the Clear Language and Workplace Education Programs in the following ways:

• Attending various PEI Literacy Alliance meetings, workshops and functions, learning and networking with literacy affiliates
• Submitted and will speak to three Resolutions regarding literacy at the CUPE PEI Convention and my Local 3260’s Annual Meeting this May.
• Set up a Literacy table at the Human Rights Conference, the CUPE PEI Convention as well as at Local 3260’s Annual Convention
• Posted Literacy Reports, information and links on the CUPE PEI’s website
• Two member facilitators and activists gave Literacy presentations to members in the Education Sector
• The first Clear Language Workshop was held on PEI last fall
• I hope that this year members will attend the Literacy in the Workplace Workshop
• It is my goal that executive members from the Division and Locals all attend these two very important workshops over the next few years.

CUPE has a long tradition of creating learning opportunities for its members and their families. Through Workplace Literacy Programs members become informed, effective participants and leaders. They gain workplace skills, knowledge, and abilities in an ever-changing world. Members become engaged in in collective struggles to not only improve their lives, but the lives of their families and communities. Their jobs may improve.

I am proud to be part of the labour movement to build the union by promoting, and raising awareness of Literacy and Clear Language Programs. I am proud to be part of the LWG’s work to make inclusion a reality for all members!

Respectfully submitted, Karyn Noble National Literacy Working Group member

"Literacy and Clear Language - It's all about inclusion!!!" Please click here to download report.

Literacy Working Group Members

Cupe Literacy Home Page

PEI Literacy Alliance

ABC Canada.org

ABC Canada.org Newsletter Signup

Movement For Canadian Literacy | (July Issue)

Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES)

NALD@Work

NALD.ca