Writers and video producers from the IBEW Media Department won 18 International Labor Communications Awards including the Steinbock Award, the single highest honor for journalistic excellence.
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| One of the 18 ILCA awards won by the IBEW was Best Front Page design for the March issue.
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Len Shindel won the Steinbock award for “La. Prison Program Offers Skills, Redemption” about the electrician 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 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, writing analysis, editorials, graphic design and the redesigned IBEW website, and several for multimedia productions created by the IBEW Media Department’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 not a member of the Media Department, it 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, and 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 Place: Writing: Saul Miller Awards: Organizing: National/International
“New Technology, Tactics Win Workers in LA” by Len Shindel
3rd Place: Political Action/Organizing Campaign: Best Flyer: 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