ORGANISING AWARDS THE WINNERS 2014 Award winning reps Ten years on since the Awards Night was launched Usdaw continues to produce highly motivated, well-trained and dedicated reps. www.usdaw. org.uk The union’s executive council had the unenviable task of picking eight national winners from the wealth of divisional nominees – almost 700 were recieved. The quality was so high in three categories the judges could not separate the candidates and opted to elect joint winners. Activists, their guests, and senior officials gathered for the glittering event held at the Radisson Blu hotel at Manchester airport in January and as general secretary John Hannett said ‘the room was full of winners’. “This night is about celebrating the 10 Network January/February 2015 hard-work of all of our activists,” he said. “Of course not every one of our 11,000 reps can be here but they are nevertheless represented by their colleagues who have won their divisional nominations – a great achievement in itself. “It’s right that Usdaw acknowledges its activists who always have been and always will be the life- blood of the union. Our success is built upon their dedication. “As a former rep myself, and Paddy Lillis the deputy general secretary is the same, we know all about the pressures faced by our reps and I’m delighted to acknowledge their many achievements tonight. “So this is a special night and one which our activists deserve. “We know we have our work cut out in 2015, but when I see the standard of all the nominees I also know Usdaw is capable of withstanding all of the challenges we face this year. “I’d also like to say a big thank you to the partners of our reps who play an important role in supporting our activists.” “Our activists always have been and always will be the life-blood of this union. Our success is built on their dedication” John and Paddy were joined by president Jeff Broome to present the awards. “I’m proud to say I’ve been to every Awards Night since it started,” he said. “Our reps are amazing and that’s why Usdaw will go from strength to strength.”