Public Employee Press

PEP wins six awards for labor journalism

The Public Employee Press won high honors in the 2003 labor journalism competition held by the International Labor Communications Association. DC 37’s newspaper came in second for overall excellence in its category and took two first prizes among its six awards. There were 1,180 entries in the contest.

The judges said PEP “provides thorough coverage of the issues that affect members in a spirited manner that should incite members to get involved” and “informs members of how the union is advocating for them.”

In the last four years, ILCA has rated PEP second, third, first and second in the country. PEP is in the highest circulation category of newspapers published by district and regional union organizations.

The number one feature was PEP’s 16-page section showing the human tragedies and magnificent accomplishments of DC 37 members on 9/11 and in the cleanup. The section was written by Gregory N. Heires, Diane S. Williams, Alfredo Alvarado, Jane LaTour and Bill Schleicher and designed by Alyce Archer. The judges said it gave them “new insight into the heroism of union workers.”

Top prize for graphic design went to E.J. Dobson’s powerful layout of a 3-page article with photos and charts about violence against Juvenile Center employees.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts was honored for her column, “We Can Do the Work,” which set the tone for a special edition of PEP on the union’s research White Papers. “The author gives practical arguments and alternatives to contracting out, using rank-and-file members’ own ideas,” said the contest judges.

The newspaper also won third prizes for a photograph by George Cohen and a series by Mr. Heires. In its video competition, the ILCA awarded a third prize to “Everyday Heroes,” by former Communications Dept. staffer Pat Passantino.

At the November conference where the ILCA presented the awards for 2002 publications, members re-elected Ms. Williams to the national Executive Board.

“The awards represent a tremendous achievement by our entire staff, and they reaffirm that DC 37 gives its members one of the best newspapers in the labor movement,” said Editor Bill Schleicher.