Awards

About the STUC Union Rep Awards

The STUC Union Rep awards are presented each year at Congress and are given in recognition of the dedication and hard work of the recipients on behalf of their fellow workers and the wider trade union movement.

The nomination process for the awards asks affiliated unions to identify lay activists who have excelled in individual learning, the promotion of the workplace learning agenda, equalities, health and safety or organising within their union, workplace or community.

The Awards are presented to either a single Scottish trade union member, or a group of members working together. More than one application from STUC affiliated trade union organisations are welcome.

The fact of being nominated for an award, whether or not the nominee is the ultimate recipient is something to be celebrated. The work of all nominees will be recognised during and after Congress.

Nominations can only be accepted from STUC affiliated trade unions and must be approved by the Scottish Secretary or equivalent regional officer.

The nominated person(s) must:

• Be a union member but not a paid official of a trade union
• Demonstrate a commitment to the trade union movement.

The recipients of the awards are decided by the STUC judging panel.

2026 STUC Union Rep Awards

The STUC Union Rep Awards 2026 took place in April 2026 in Caird Hall, Dundee, during the STUC Congress 2026.

Watch the award recipient’s stories in the STUC Union Rep Awards 2026 video here:

Learner of the Year Award 2026

The Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award recognises the range of learning journeys currently undertaken by learners in the workplace, supported by trade unions. It is awarded as part of the STUC Union Rep Awards at STUC Annual Congress. This year, the award was sponsored by The Open University in Scotland. 

Helen Dowie Award: Union Learning Rep of the Year 2026

The Helen Dowie Award: Union Learning Rep of the Year recognises outstanding trade unionists who continue to demonstrate their commitment to union values and lead the learning movement forward in Scotland. This year, the award was sponsored by TUC Education in Scotland. 

STUC Equality Award

The objective of the STUC Equality Award is to highlight the positive difference union reps can make in the workplace. We aim to recognise an individual or group who has made a difference, and who brings energy, enthusiasm and new ideas to promoting equality and tackling discrimination.