Our Life and Times, www.1199seiu.org, Win National Labor Media Awards
Our Life and Times magazine and www.1199seiu.org won a total of eight awards in this year’s journalism contest of the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA). The contest was open to all labor media produced in North America in 2007.
The ILCA is a professional organization for labor journalists. Its mission is to give workers a greater voice in their unions and society. The ILCA awards were presented a luncheon at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, .D.C on Nov. 21.
Prizes were given in the following categories:
General Excellence: Websites – www.1199seiu.org took second place in North America—first place in the United States--in the local union category. Judges said the “sleek, elegant design presents the basic information for visitors in an easy to use site. Lots of images and colors make for a more visual web experience.”
General Excellence - Our Life And Times took second place in the category of local union publications with circulations over 20,000. “Terrific use of one main issue per topic,” commented the judges. “Also very colorful and compelling presentation of material.”
Best Design – First place for the July issue Money Games. Judges noted that the “outstanding publication shouts out drama – and commitment to improving the lives of local members…members will want to spend time with this publication.”
Best Illustration – Illustrator Mark Gotbaum won third place for his depiction of HMOs as well-fed piglets and their drained mother - the healthcare system. The image appeared in the May issue. “Compelling illustration. Could stand on its own,” said judges.
Best Photograph - Jim Tynan won first place for his photograph on the May cover of Maryland’s Prince George’s Hospital RN Claressa Williams Lloyd with a patient and her newborn, which judges called “sensitive and modest at the same time.” Tynan also shared second place for his strike photo, “Calling All Scabs!” which appeared on the back cover of the same issue. Of that photo judges said “it captures the moment in time perfectly and memorializes it.”
Saul Miller Award Best Collective Bargaining Story – First place in this category went to social worker Jim Gilbert for his story, “Lessons Learned”, which appeared in the September issue. In the piece Gilbert, who was forced to take management position due to downsizing after 28 years as an 1199er, wrote about the importance of keeping unions strong. The story “gets right to the heart of every union member’s responsibility” said contest judges.
Saul Miller Award Best Organizing Story – Our Life And Times staff writer Patricia Kenney received an honorable mention for her story, “Workers + Organizing = Change”, which appeared in the January magazine. “The positive effects on active members of organizing non-union workers…is clearly communicated in this well written piece,” said judges