The 46th TUC Trade Union Communication Awards 2023
We have increased the number of categories to six. We have changed the categories slightly 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 communication for reps and activists
- Best campaign communication(s)
- Best media story
- Best use of social media
Entries in all six categories must have been published/produced between March 2022 and February 2023. Entries in categories one to five 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 Tuesday 18 July 2023 in person at Congress House. Please put this date in your diary.
How to submit your entries
Download the entry form(s) under the individual categories below. Please read the category definitions and the entry rules carefully and follow the instructions.
Please submit only one entry per category. Name your files with your union name, the category and distinguish between the forms and the entry files.
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 Daniel Shannon-Hughes, dshannon-hughes@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 Friday 24 February 2023.
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.
Download an entry form for Category 1
Category 2: Best recruitment and organising communication
This category can include any digital or print materials aimed at recruiting new members or organising members. Entries can be in the form of printed materials, dedicated websites, digital actions, videos or similar, but must be aimed members or potential members.
Download an entry form for Category 2
Category 3: Best communication for reps and activists
The audience must be union reps and/or lay activists. Entries could comprise guidance and advice such as blogs, newsletters, or resources and tools for recruitment or organising.
Download an entry form for Category 3
Category 4: Best campaign communication(s)
Campaigns must have been run within the date range of the competition and 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.
Download an entry form for Category 4
Category 5: Best media story
This category is for a single piece of proactive media work that has generated press and/or broadcast coverage. It could be work put out widely in a press release, or an exclusive with a newspaper or broadcaster. It should be aimed at influencing public and political opinion.
Download an entry form for Category 5
Category 6: 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 linked communications on one or more platforms/channels. Judges will seek evidence of impact.