The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) has recognized the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Communications Department in its 2025 Labor Media Contest. The IAM team received multiple awards, continuing a trend of annual recognition.
“The IAM Union Communications Department continues to lead the way,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Their dedication and commitment to sharing the stories of our members shines through in every piece they produce. This well-deserved recognition from ILCA solidifies their place as a leading voice in the labor movement.”
The ILCA Labor Media Awards Contest is known as one of the largest and longest-running competitions for labor communications, highlighting excellence across the field.
Among this year’s honors, Elias Flamenco Rivera earned third place for Best Feature Story in the Summer 2024 issue of IAM Journal with “Our Future, Our Fight: Seizing Momentum for IAM/Boeing Contract Negotiations.” Bill Harkum also took third place for Social Media Live Event Coverage with his work on Nevada Get Out The Vote, 2024. Deirdre Kaniewski won first place for Political Action/Social Justice/Campaign for her design work on the “Our Future, Our Fight” graphics package.
“We’re not just telling stories, we are amplifying the voices of our members and fighting for the issues that affect their lives,” said IAM Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia. “I am extremely proud of our entire department. The communications paradigm is shifting quickly in the labor movement and our team continues to adapt to the challenges and generate award-winning content year after year.”
The department’s approach focuses on delivering timely stories relevant to union members, addressing both challenges faced by workers and celebrating their achievements.
Reflecting on past challenges within ILCA, outgoing Secretary-Treasurer DeLane Adams commented: “When I first took on the role of Secretary-Treasurer, the ILCA was in a financially challenging position. It wasn’t easy, but we made some difficult decisions about our team and really tried to think creatively to get us back on track. We worked hard to demonstrate the real value of the ILCA, especially with our biennial convention. I am confident that the ILCA will continue to thrive and inspire the next generation of labor communicators.”
This year’s ceremony also included a tribute to Lisa Martin, former ILCA President Emeritus and LIUNA Strategic Communications Director, who passed away recently. Martin was credited with revitalizing ILCA during her tenure starting in 2018 by bringing new leadership energy and fostering diversity among communicators.
