3. Why Unions use plain
It allows members to understand their
rights
It’s inclusive
It’s democratic
It’s participatory
It creates safe & healthy workplaces
4. Clear language & Literacy
Integrating literacy and clear language
“Connecting with members strengthens our
union as a whole. And the stronger we are, the
better equipped we are to do a good job in
bargaining and on other key issues we face at the
local level and at the national level.”
- Paul Moist, CUPE National President
5. CUPE’s plain language work
1. Clear language workshops – in
clear language & on clear language
2. Literacy Working Group
3. Resolutions
4. CUPE Constitution
5. CUPE Model Bylaws
6. Collective Agreements
6. Clear language workshops
Started to offer a clear language
workshop to members in 2001-2002
Clear language training for CUPE staff
across Canada
7. Literacy Working Group
Created in 2000 as part of the Literacy
Program
The Literacy Working Group (LWG) helps
to guide CUPE's literacy and clear
language work.
8. Resolutions - Traditional
In 2005 and 2007, accepted both formats
WHEREAS properly worded and setup
resolutions allow for smoother CUPE National
Convention; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all
chartered organizations be urged to follow
the recommended format
9. Resolutions – Plain
Only accepted format as of 2009
CUPE NATIONAL WILL:
Encourage all chartered organizations to use
the recommended format for resolutions.
BECAUSE:
Conventions runs smoother when resolutions
are worded and laid out correctly.
10. CUPE Constitution - 2011
BEFORE
5.1 The government and structure of the organization shall be as
follows:
(a) The Biennial Convention
(b) The National Executive Board
(c) The National Executive Committee
(d) The National Officers
(e) Provincial Divisions
(f) District Councils
(g) Service Divisions
(h) Provincial Unions
(i) Local Unions
11. CUPE Constitution - 2011
AFTER
5.1 Structure
The government and structure of the Union is:
(a) Convention
(b) National Executive Board
(c) National Executive Committee
(d) National Officers
(e) Provincial Divisions
(f) District Councils
(g) Service Divisions
(h) Provincial Unions
(i) Local Unions
12. Model Bylaws - 2013
Rewritten in it’s entirety last year.
It is available on our website.
It’s contains sample policies of what is
acceptable according to our National
Constitution.
13. What’s next for CUPE
Sample collective agreement clauses in
our database
Collective agreement documents
14. Check out our website
www.cupe.ca/clearlanguage
You will find our clear language game:
Lullaby Mission
Notas do Editor
I work in the Education Department – I have a background in adult education.We develop workshops for our members and staff.We use clear language although we mean plain.I will use both terms interchangeably.
We can all relate to this. Union members too feel like this at times. They feel like they need lawyers to understand their own work contracts.This is one of the main reasons why CUPE and the labour movement promote clear language. To ensure that union members understand their working conditions, their benefits, salaries and hours of work; which are specified in their collective agreements.Talk about that 1 clause that was 1 paragraph – 2 pages long! Included lots of shalls, hereto, whit or without, may, etc.That is the main reason why CUPE and the Canadian Labour Movement supports plain language.
Clear language is beneficial to unions becauseIt ensures that we understand our rights: Because union members understand their collective agreements: they know how many sick days in a year, if they will be paid for workplace training, what are their medical benefits, how many work hours in a day or per week.It’s inclusive: Because it allows every one – from members who’s first language is not English or French to members with lower literacy levels - to understand their collective agreements, the union newsletters, union bylaws (policies), resolutions, work documents, etc.It’s democratic: Because it allows members to understand so they can have a say in their union by voting, participating in debates, for example.It’s participatory: Because union members understand their union contracts and other union communications. They are more likely to attend union meetings, support union officers, becoming union stewards. It creates safe & healthy workplaces: union members can determine safe and healthy work. They can tell if a “job” cannot be done because it puts their health or their colleagues health in danger, i.e. mixing certain chemical products, for example.
Clear language is part CUPE’s literacy program.This integration is about building literacy and clear language into all union activities so that it becomes central to the union agenda, rather than an “add-on”.Paul Moist CUPE National President, once said:“Connecting with members strengthens our union as a whole. And the stronger we are, the better equipped we are to do a good job in bargaining and on other key issues we face at the local level and at the national level.” Clear language helps us do just that: connect with members.
Our workshop is designed as a 9 hour or 1.5 day workshop.However, it can be adapted to be either 2, 3 or even 4.5 days.Our members bring their own documents to work on, i.e. collective agreements.Same apply for our staff. We’ve trained our staff in our Research Department, Job Evaluation Branch, Communication Branch, Legal Department, servicing Reps in Region.Example of “missive”
The LWG provides feedback and insight on the tasks needed to meet the Literacy Program's goals and objectives.The LWG works with the Literacy Coordinator to achieve these goals and objectives. Working Group members act as CUPE literacy & clear language contacts in their region/provinces. In addition, members may be asked to represent the program at CUPE events and literacy/clear language related activities.
The traditional format of resolutions submitted to our national convention sometime made it difficult to understand.Transition period of 2 convention.In 2007, most resolutions submitted were in clear language. That was the last year we accepted both format.
Since our national convention in 2009, only format accepted is in clear language.Our documentation offers tips to CUPE local unions on how to write clear language resolutions.
The CUPE Constitution in clear language was adopted in 2011.It was presented at our national convention as a constitutional amendment.The document was presented as a booklet.It was formatted in 3 columns: the current article, the constitutional amendment - in clear language, and any comments explaining the change.
The CUPE Constitution in clear language was adopted in 2011.It was presented at our national convention as a constitutional amendment.The document was presented as a booklet where each article was presented with ts. It was formatted in 3 columns: the current constitution, the constitutional amendment - in clear language and any comments explaining the change.
Guide provided to new local unions and existing ones. It is based on our national constitution therefore it only makes sense that we revised the document in clear language because the constitution was revised in 2011.This is to help them develop their own policies on how the local union will run it’s daily business, such expenses, duties of the officers (president, VP, Treausrer, etc.)The clear design and clear language makes the document very accessible – it’s easy to undestand. It uses numbered footnotes in coloured blocks.
We continue to train our staff and members in clear language.Workshops are offered every year to a few region/provinces.We hope to take over the world of CUPE in Clear language!
We have a clear language page on our website.Check it out! You will see our game called Lullaby Mission.This game is based on an activity developed for our workshop. The idea is to put together a lullaby written in clingon.
