Literacy champion Pauline Merrigan is taking home this year’s CUPE national literacy award.
“Within the world of union education, the most powerful tool we have to make life better for our members is workplace literacy,” said CUPE national president Paul Moist during the national literacy award ceremony today.
Pauline Merrigan a member of CUPE local 4400, Toronto School Board workers, is the recipient of CUPE’s national literacy award. As a caretaker who works with chemicals every day, Pauline was in the perfect position to understand the importance of clear language and workplace health and safety.
“I was teased a lot about my reading skills, when the school changed companies for the chemicals we use for cleaning; the labels on the bottles were different. I had to ask my boss what it said and he would say ‘what’s the matter can’t you read’. Well no I could not – so I went and got some help to improve my reading,” said Pauline.
“A model of determination, hard work and activism, Pauline is an inspiration,” Moist told delegates.
You can hear the ceremony and an interview with Merrigan, a member of CUPE 4400.
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