APWU Union Communicators Gather Online

(This article first appeared in the September-October issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

On August 4-5, members of the APWU National Postal Press Association (PPA) gathered via Zoom for two days of workshops to enhance and sharpen their communication skills. For over 50 years, the PPA has held a multi-day biennial conference featuring communication- related instruction. Due to the ongoing pandemic, an abbreviated version was moved online.

The PPA, in partnership with the University of Iowa Labor Center and the APWU Communications Department offered sessions covering a variety of communication methods; from written, to verbal, to the use of social media.

The two-day gathering ended with announcement of the 2021 PPA Awards. Established in 1968, the PPA Awards Program recognizes communicators for outstanding work in writing, editing and publishing. The award winners are listed below:

Overall Excellence Awards: Best Non-Professional (A) - Tampa Mailbag News, Tampa, Florida; Mike Botts, Editor; Best Non- Professional (B) - Aurora Local News, Aurora Colorado; Edward Seidler, Production Editor; Best Professional - First Place: Iowa Postal Worker, Des Moines, Iowa; Lance Coles, Editor

Best:

• Editorial - “Thank veterans with more than just words,” The Hi-Lites, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chris Czubakowski, Local Business Agent

• Headline - “To wear a mask or not to wear a mask…that is the question” Michigan Messenger, Lansing, Michigan; John Greathouse, editor

• Cartoon - Tour’s End, Gainesville, Florida; Phillip Breunig, Editor

• Feature Story - “The Six Triple Eight – WWII morale boosters” The Newsroom, Mentor, Ohio; Louise Balog, Editor

• Community Service - “What we can do for each other” The Auxiliary Spirit, Saint Charles, Missouri; Bridget Yurachek, Secretary-Treasurer Saint Charles Auxiliary

• News Story - “Postal workers, retirees, and community allies rally to tell Grassley, Ernst to fund USPS!” DMI News & Views, Des Moines Iowa; Mark Sarcone, Editor & Legislative Director

• Creative Writing - “The perfect storm continues to pummel the Postal Service” The Badger Bulletin, Cecil, Wisconsin; Paul McKenna, President

• Non-Postal Labor Story - “Women’s history: The uprising of the 20,000” The Union Mail, New York, New York; Florence Summergrad, Editor

• Website - Central Michigan Area Local, Lansing, Michigan; Dustin Hume, Website Editor