The 47th TUC Trade Union Communication Awards 2024

Welcome to the 47th TUC Trade Union Communication Awards

We have made slight changes to our 6 categories. We have done this to reflect a focus on organising, increased media interest in trade unions and the increased prominence of social media in union communications. This year’s categories are: 

• Best union journal
• Best recruitment and organising communication
• Best campaign communication(s)
• Best media story
• Best use of social media
• Best communication from a smaller union

Entries in all 6 categories must have been published/produced between March 2023 and February 2024 and can be for digital or offline products. Apart from category 1, you are welcome to submit the same communication(s) for more than one category, eg because it was part of an overall campaign.

Final assessments will take place in May and once again we have invited experts in the fields of journalism, politics, campaigning and the union movement to be our judges.

The awards ceremony will be on evening of Wednesday 3rd July in person at Congress House. Please put this date in your diary.

How to submit your entries

Entry forms can be  found here Comms Awards 2024 - Google Drive or can be sent to you on request.

Please read the category definitions and the entry rules carefully and follow the instructions.

In your write-ups, think about how the judges can see any online content, giving full access to any linked material.

Note: please send your entries in digital formats only, both as medium resolution for display on the awards night and also, where possible, as high resolution for our printed awards brochure. For larger files, please send via cloud transfer such as Hightail or similar.

Completed entry forms and entries should be sent to Michele Rawlings, Mrawlings@tuc.org.uk. Please name your files with your union name and the category.

Please submit only one entry per category.

The closing date for entries is 5pm Thursday 29th February 2024.

Categories and forms 

Category 1: Best union journal

This category is for regular (monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly) national printed journals or e-journals. Do not include regional or branch publications. The audience must be members, either nationally or within a defined sector.

Category 2: Best recruitment or organising communication.

Comms and digital can play a big role in growing and strengthening the union. This category can include any digital or print materials designed to support recruiting new members or, organising members and activists. This could include guidance or digital tools for activists, materials or campaigns to attract and sign-up new members. Entries can be in the form of printed materials, dedicated websites, digital actions, videos or similar, but must be aimed at activists, members or potential members.

Category 3: Best campaign communication(s)

Campaigns could include a mix of offline and digital actions. Judges will seek evidence of a single cohesive campaign, with objectives met creatively and cost-effectively. Campaigns can be political/public, industrial/sectoral, and can be large or small in scale.

Category 4: Best media story

This category is for a single piece of proactive media work that has generated press, broadcast or online coverage. It could be work put out widely in a press release, or an exclusive with a media outlet. It should be aimed at influencing public and/or political opinion.

Category 5: Best use of social media

This category can include any social media communications. Entries can be a standalone social media communication or a series of related communications on one or more platforms/channels. Judges will seek evidence of impact.

Category 6: Best Communication from a smaller Union.

This new category has been created to showcase the work of our smaller Unions. To take part you must have a membership of fewer than 17,000 members. This category could be for a single piece of communication, a series, or a wider project. It can include any digital or print materials designed to recruit new members, support and organise members and activists or campaign on issues.

We want everyone attending TUC events to have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you require any adjustments or assistance to participate at this event, please let us know.