Most major workplace literacy programs involve unions. Organized labor's current leadership in worker education and training is not a continuation of earlier activities but an expansion of union interest and activity that is unprecedented in the history of organized labor. These efforts do not rely on public funding, because many unions have negotiated financial support for the educational programs under the collective bargaining agreement. For decades, the building and construction trades have operated training programs funded through joint apprenticeship and training trusts with their contractors. Employers who have been reluctant to invest in their workers must commit the financial resources required to keep the skills of their workers current. They must embrace the cost of ongoing worker training and education as part of the total cost of doing business. Those who are planning a workplace literacy program should not oversimplify the literacy problem or what kinds of programs are needed and should not insult the workers they are hoping to serve through the program. The most important suggestion for these program planners is to involve unions and workers from the very start of the effort and throughout every phase of the operation as equal partners. (A list of 18 references and handouts are appended.) (YLB)