Volume 2, number 3, Spring 2000
New CTC literacy course inspires, challenges
They were keen. They worked hard and had fun. And they went away inspired to tackle their literacy work back home.
Nine participants from various affiliates, federations of labour, labour councils and local unions were the first to attend the CLC's new course, Union-based Literacy. The course was piloted at the CLC Ontario Winter School at Port Elgin from February 6 ta Il. Participants travelled from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and various points in Ontario to learn .about the union approach to literacy and what a worker-centred program entails.
They explored various topics, including adult learning, changing definitions of literacy, critical literacy, elements of program design, curriculum, programming models, anti-racism, bargaining and joint committees.
It was a challenge to have the content meet the diverse needs of the people in the group. One suggestion for the future was to develop a series of modules that can be mixed and matched for various purposes and time frames.
Participants were enthusiastic about the learning and about working together. Hopefully, the course will be offered in other regions in the future.
Ian Thorn, the Moncton-based Literacy Co-ordinator with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, was one of the course participants. "The Union-Based Literacy course brought together a group of union literacy activists with a whole lot of varied literacy experience. The three instructors brought us all to a much broader view of what a union approach to literacy is all about. I have a much better sense now of what needs to be involved in setting our goals and figuring out our direction for programming. I came away from the course with greater understanding and new ideas to bring to my literacy work," said Thorn.
First row, left to right:
- Steve Petersen, Norrhern Territories Federation of Labour, Yellowknife
- Al (Spud) Nicholson, CAW local 1285, Bramalea, Ontario
- Karen Kennedy, Alberta Federation of Labour J CUPW, Edmonton
- Jean Connon Unda, Toronto (Instructor)
Second row, left to right:
- Par Williamson, Manitoba Federation of Labour, Winnipeg
- Linda Wentzel,' Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, Lunenburg N .S.
- Jane Ruttan, CAW local 61. Bracebridge, Ontario
- Ann Curry, Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board, Regina
Third row, left ro right:
- Kim Letourneau, Sudbury and Disuicr Labour Council, Sudbury, Ontario
- Tamara Levine, Canadian Labour Congress, Ottawa (Instructor)
- Sharon Simon, George Meany Centre, Springland, Maryland, USA (Instructor)
- Ian Thorn, CEP, Moncton, N.E.
Learning Together is published three times a year with financial support from the National Literacy Secretariat. We welcome your articles, event notices and opinion pieces.
