WORKPLACE EDUCATION

Lighting the Way Is Labour Education

Lighting the Way with Workplace Education assists in the development of better skills in reading, writing and math, but in the context of the broader trade union struggle to empower working people. Lighting the Way is a literacy program that grows out of a movement fighting for greater social justice and equality for working people. The fact that it is a part of this broader struggle of the labour movement shapes every aspect of Lighting the Way.

Perhaps most importantly, the larger struggle of the labour movement continually puts literacy in a proper perspective - as a tool, as a means to an end and not the end itself. Greater social and economic justice comes not from higher individual skill levels but from collective action for change. Every aspect of Lighting the Way is designed to facilitate the growth in the collective ability of working people to shape the world
in which they live.

The philosophy of Lighting the Way comes from labour's conception of the broader goals of social unionism - to help empower working people to take control of their lives individually and collectively; to be heard; to question, criticize, evaluate and act as full citizens with a broad social vision in a democratic society.

April 14, 2011 - NSFL President Rick Clarke, NSFUR President and storyteller Larry Wark joined NSFL Workplace Co-ordinator Linda Wentzel at the exciting launch of the book Work! Telling our Stories.

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The book is a collection of stories abour work, told by workers and is intended for adult learners. It focuses on the importance of storytelling in our lives and how stories contribute to the collective worker history. The book is presented along with a companion manual for adult education.

The stories were collected and told by volunteers, many of whom were present at the launch.

For information on how to get copies, call the NSFL office at 454-6735

What is the Alex MacDonald Ambassador Award?

This award is given each year in memory of Brother Alex MacDonald, former Secretary-Treasurer and chair of the Education Committee, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. Alex believed that education for workers is an important part of building the labour movement in Nova Scotia. He believed that literacy and upgrading are union issues and should be addressed with a collective union vision. He also believed that organized labour should play a central role in the development of programs that would empower workers.

Alex was instrumental in developing a partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Education to promote workplace education programs in unionized work sites. The work started by Brother MacDonald continues today with the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour actively promoting workplace education. Our hard work is reaping benefits; the Department of Education reports that 60% of the workplaces offering upgrading programs are unionized.

When Brother Alex MacDonald passed away suddenly in 2001, the Nova Scotia Department of Education announced that it would give an annual award that honoured his role as an ambassador of workplace education. The award is given to a union member who makes
a “significant contribution to the labour movement through his or her involvement with workplace education.”

Literacy Links

• National Literacy Secretariat
  The National Literacy Secretariat was established by authorization of Cabinet in 1987 and is actively involved in working with its partners to promote literacy in Canada. The NLS is administratively part of the federal department of Human Resources Development of Canada.
  
  
• National Adult Literacy Database
  A single source, comprehensive, up-to-date and easily accessible database of adult literacy programs, resources and services across Canada. It also links with other services and database in North American and overseas.

• Movement for Canadian Literacy
  A non-profit organization representing literacy coalitions, organizations and individuals.
  
  
• Alpha Plus
  A gateway to information and resources on adult literacy and second language learning.
  
  
• Just Labour
  A Canadian journal of work and society. This is an e-journal with some literacy content.
  
  
• ABC Canada
  Focusses on public awareness programs. Also conducts research to further the development of a fully literate Canadian population.
  
  
• Our Times Magazine
  Canada's independent labour magazine. This is a magazine that includes some articles on literacy and has produced an entire issue on literacy (September 2001).