Writers and video producers from the IBEW Media Department won 18 International Labor Communications Association awards including the Steinbock Award, the single highest honor for journalistic excellence in the labor world.

Len Shindel won the Steinbock award for "La. Prison Program Offers Skills, Redemption" about the training program in the state's infamous Angola Prison.

"It is an honor being recognized by my brothers and sisters in the labor movement, and I share the honor with my IBEW colleagues who were so supportive of my writing over the years," Shindel said. "The success of the La. State Penitentiary re-entry program is a testament to the value of the partnership between the IBEW, its signatory employers and administrators of the criminal justice system. Access to training and good jobs is a critical element in offering prisoners a second chance."

The ILCA Awards is North America's largest annual award competition for labor communicators and journalists. The IBEW made the best showing in this year's competition with four first place, seven second place, two third place, and three honorable mentions in addition to the Steinbock Award, all for work completed in 2015.

"These awards recognize something every member of the IBEW already knows, we have the best Media Department in the labor movement," said International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. "No one else is going to tell our story, so it is up to us to do it. The ILCA awards are one more way we know we're doing it well."

Shindel, now retired, also won a first prize award for his article about the rise of pre-fabricated construction technology.

The IBEW won awards for journalism, analysis, editorials, graphic design and the redesigned IBEW website as well as multimedia productions created by the IBEW's team of producers and editors who are members of Washington, D.C., Local 1200.

Honored projects included a first place award for best news video for "Building Hope in Haiti" about IBEW members rebuilding a trade school destroyed in the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake.

One surprising result came in the competition for best photograph. The second place winner was an entry in the annual IBEW photo contest taken by Vacaville, Calif., Local 1245 member Shawn Murphy.

"It is fulfilling to be recognized by our colleagues for the work that we do but the real honor is telling the stories of the members of the IBEW," said Media Department Director Mark Brueggenjohann.

Max Steinbock Award
"La. Prison Program Offers Skills, Redemption" by Len Shindel

1st Place:
Electronic Media: Best News Video:
National/International
Building Hope in Haiti Producer, Editor, and Photographer —
Colin Kelly

1st Place:
Writing: Best Analysis:
National/International
"Technical Revolution Advances in Construction" by Len Shindel

1st Place:
Writing: Saul Miller Awards: Collective Bargaining: National/International
"Texas Utility Workers Win Contract" by Lucas Oswalt

1st Place:
Visual Communications: Best Front Page/Cover: Newspapers:
National/International
The Electrical Worker

2nd Place:
Writing: Saul Miller Awards: Organizing:
National/International
"Membership Reaches All-Time High" by Ben Temchine

2nd Place:
Visual Communications: Best Informational Graphic:
National/International
"Call to Serve: IBEW Members in Public Office" by IBEW Media

2nd Place:
Electronic Media: Best Issues/Advocacy Video:
National/International
"IBEW Builds Net-Zero Energy Training Center" by Senior Producer & Editor, Sean Bartel; Photographer, Erin Sutherland

2nd Place:
Electronic Media: Best News Video:
National/International
"IBEW Helps Rebuild Joplin, Missouri" by Senior Producer & Editor, Sean Bartel; Producer, Editor, and Photographer, Colin Kelly

2nd Place:
Writing: Best Electronic Content:
National/International
IBEW Media Center by IBEW Media

2nd Place:
Electronic Media: Best Educational and Training Video:
National/International
"IBEW Young Worker Conference (RENEW)" by Senior Producer, Sean Bartel; Photographer and Editor, Erin Sutherland

2nd Place:
Visual Communications: Best Photograph:
National/International
"The Voters Pick Favorites in 17th IBEW Photo Contest" by IBEW member Shawn Murphy

3rd Place:
Electronic Media: Best Educational and Training Video:
National/International
"IBEW and Florida Power and Light: United in Excellence" by Senior Producer & Editor, Sean Bartel; Photographer, John Sellman

3rd Mention:
Writing: Saul Miller Awards: Organizing:
National/International
"New Technology, Tactics Win Workers in LA" by Len Shindel

3rd Mention:
Political Action/Organizing Campaign: Best Flier:
National/International
Siemens by IBEW Media

Honorable Mention:
Electronic Media: Best Issues/Advocacy Video:
National/International
"Cross-country Locals Team Up to Win Organizing" by Senior Producer & Editor, Sean Bartel; Photographer, Erin Sutherland

Honorable Mention:
Electronic Media: Best Educational and Training Video:
National/International
"IBEW Tree Trimmer Boot Camp" Producer, Editor, and Photographer, Colin Kelly

Honorable Mention:
Writing: Best Editorial or Column:
National/International
"Taking Out the Trash" by International President Edwin D. Hill

In San Diego, a youth movement is underway at Local 465.

Driven by young members and led by 30-year-old lineman-turned-business manager Nate Fairman, the utility local is making an impact in its community through service and engagement with labor allies.

"This started a couple of years ago when we were really searching for a way to engage our membership," Fairman said. Fresh off a trip to the AFL-CIO's 2015 NextUp young workers' summit in Chicago and the IBEW's RENEW/NextGen conference, Fairman and his fellow young members decided to get active.

By May of 2015, they had done just that, gathering 39 young volunteers from the Local 465 community to pitch in at the San Diego Labor Council's annual food drive. "It was our first year participating in that event," Fairman said. "And not only did we show up, we sent more volunteers than any other local union."

Hanging on to their momentum was key, so the young members kept it up, partnering with volunteers from San Diego Local 569 the next month to rewire a local women's shelter with Habitat for Humanity. They installed security lighting, replaced a service panel and performed numerous other upgrades for the charity organization.

In December, the young members organized and ran the local's holiday party, a tradition Fairman says is key to making Local 465 feel more like a family to the nearly 3,000 members working at San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Transit, Imperial Irrigation District and elsewhere.

Next, Fairman has set his sights on revitalizing the local's mentorship programs, believing that engaging young members isn't just the responsibility of groups like RENEW. "What we do now in shaping the next generation of IBEW brothers and sisters is what will keep this union strong for generations to come."