Locals 154 and 371 received two labor journalism awards each and DC 37 won eight — more than any other union — in the annual competition of the International Labor Communications Association.

There were 1,216 entries in the contest, which covered publications from 2000.

The prizes to Local 154, NYC Amalgamated Professional Employees, were particularly significant because with volunteer staff and a low budget, the local publishes a newsletter that many locals can emulate.

At the ILCA conference in November, Local 154’s “The Professional Touch” received the top award for overall excellence among newsletters with circulations under 2,500 and another prize for the quality of its graphic design.

The Professional Touch is written and edited by Local 154 Editor-in-Chief Paula Sanders and Editor Annette Harewood, with editorial assistance from PEP Contributing Editor Molly Charboneau, graphic design by PEP Artist Jaee Pathak, and support and guidance from Local President Barry Jamison.

The Unionist, published by DC 37’s Social Service Employees Union Local 371, was honored for its lively front pages and for the graphic design of an article on Latino Heritage.

Martin Fishgold, who is also president of the Metropolitan New York Labor Communications Council, edits The Unionist.

DC 37’s Public Employee Press won the Saul Miller Award, which the national AFL-CIO and the ILCA present jointly for excellence in pressing the labor movement’s political agenda. The judges praised PEP for its “emphasis on members’ activity.” “I am proud that this high honor went to a team effort by the entire staff of PEP,” said Editor Bill Schleicher.

DC 37’s “Everyday Heroes” radio show received the top award among 83 union radio programs. Associate Communications Director Pat Passantino produces and co-hosts the show with Librarian Ken Nash.

PEP won third prize for “general excellence” among union newspapers in its circulation class.

DC 37’s “Everyday Heroes” theme was honored twice, once for the subway poster campaign and again for the series of back-page articles in PEP.

The ILCA honored PEP Associate Editor Gregory N. Heires for his seven stories analyzing the effect of soaring drug prices on union prescription benefits.

Photographer George Cohen received an award for his heart-touching shot of a retired Local 375 member James Watkins saying, “I love you” to his grandson in sign language he learned at DC 37. Contributing cartoonist Gene Suchma won a prize for “Rudy’s Diner,” a commentary on merit pay, where the familiar-looking cook serves larger portions to his favorites.