2003 Awards of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements

The awards are a celebration of the 'journey of discovery' that municipal stakeholders have embarked on, the recognition of their contributions and commitment to the process, and an acknowledgement of the key role that management and labour jointly play to make these programs a true success.

CAMA presented five 2003 National Awards of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements at its Annual General Meeting on May 28 in Winnipeg, MB.

The following are short summaries of the winners in the five categories:

Category 1: Learner Achievement

The 2003 National Award of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements in the category of Learner Achievement went to Melvin Vautour, CUPE Local 51, City of Moncton (NB).

Melvin Vautour was nominated for the award by the City of Moncton Workplace Education Program. He has been employed as a casual labourer with the City of Moncton for 13 years. In 1998 Melvin decided to enroll in the City's Workplace Education Program. For the next four years he came to the program sporadically. By 2002, he was determined to learn to read. At that point he was unable to identify the letters of the alphabet. He is now working on Book 3 of 4 books in the Laubach Literacy program, can read street signs, and fill in his own work forms. Melvin's goal is to continue his studies and to complete his high school equivalency.

Al Strang, City Manager of Moncton accepted the
award on behalf of Melvin Vautour

Category 2:  Development of Effective and Successful Partnerships

The 2003 National Award of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements in the category of Development of Effective and Successful Partnerships went to the City of St. John's (NF) and its partners CUPE Local 569, CUPE Local 1289, NAPE Local 7808, and IAFF Local 1075.

The City of St. John's Workplace Self Improvement Program (WSIP) was formed in 1997 with support and assistance from City Council, the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the CAMA Literacy in the Municipal Workforce Project. The WSIP committee included all the bargaining units, and representatives from the Department of Corporate and Information Services.

WSIP has been a 'win-win' for all the partners and employees in the City of St. John's. The impacts of the partnerships have been:

• Improved employee morale;
• Improved communications and self confidence in the workplace;
• Improved labour relations;
• Increased enthusiasm by employees about their new skills in the workplace and homes.

Category 3: Organizational Commitment to Workplace Literacy and Education

The 2003 National Award of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements in the category of Organizational Commitment to Workplace Literacy and Education went to the City of Vancouver (BC), and its partners CUPE Local 1004, CUPE Local 15, and the Vancouver School Board.

The City of Vancouver started its workplace literacy program in 1989. The employee-centred project is available to any employee who wants to build on English language literacy and numeracy skills for the workplace or daily life. The municipal organization (Mayor, Council, City Manager, senior staff, line managers, employees and union representatives) have worked together to nurture basic, advanced and technical literacy within their shared workplace. They see 'language' as an equity issue in their workplaces.

The impacts of the program on people's lives has far exceeded their original expectations. Doors have opened or greatly widened. It has given City workers a 'voice'. The program helps them build their self confidence and self esteem through writing. Most importantly, employees have developed a thirst for more knowledge, which can lead the learners in many directions.

Category 4: Creative Design of Workplace Education Programs

The 2003 National Award of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements in the category of Creative Design of Workplace Education Programs went to the City of Winnipeg (MB) and CUPE Local 500.

In 2000, the City of Winnipeg and CUPE Local 500 negotiated a Letter of Understanding for Education, Training and Staff Development which included $3 million dollars for education and training to prepare City employees for the work of the future.

 The model has three training streams:

• global programs which provides training to all CUPE employees at the corporate level;
• programs in departments to meet their specific needs;
• individual programs for personal development.

One of the global programs is the Essential Skills program. The program focuses on subject areas such as GED preparation, math, reading and writing skills, introduction to computers, English as a Second language, study and test writing skills and essay writing.

It uses a broad definition of literacy to guide the program. Literacy is defined as "the ability to understand and employ printed information in our daily lives." The definition allows the program to meet the spectrum of needs ranging from basic skills to supporting advanced skills. The Essential Skills program has learners with limited formal education to those with University degrees. It proves that 'literacy issues' can exist in all segments of a workforce.

Category 5: Recognition of New Workplace Education and Literacy Initiatives

The 2003 National Award of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy Achievements in the category of Recognition of New Workplace Education and Literacy Initiatives went to the City of Charlottetown (PEI) and its partners CUPE Local 501 (Civic), CUPE Local 501 (WWTP), CUPE Local 830, Charlottetown Police Association PANS Local 301, Voluntary Association of Charlottetown Employees and Workplace Education PEI.

In 2001, the City of Charlottetown began to look at establishing a workplace education program for its employees. It was seen as an effective strategy to help employees adapt to the changing workplace, and to prepare for future conditions of employment and hiring policies.

A joint labour-management committee was set up to implement the Personal Education Program (PEP). The program focus is on basic computer training, literacy, and other foundational skills to prepare City employees for the realities of a knowledge based workplace. The overall aim is “to increase employment opportunities, and at the same time enhance the quality of life at work, at home, and in the community”.

The new program began offering courses in February 2002 with 31 registrants. It now has a dedicated classroom with 12 computer stations. To-date 38 City employees have taken PEP courses.