Congratulations! You’re reading the best-darn labor blog in New York state. And it’s not just me saying that.

NYSUT.ORG’s daily news blog — most frequently (but not this time) written by veteran labor journalist Betsy Sandberg — has received a first-place award in the annual Metro Labor Communications competition.

But that’s not all. NYSUT’s other social media and e-communications efforts have also been named “best of the best” by the Metro judges, including the NYSUT United Facebook page (first place, Best Social Media) and the “It’s What We Do” website (first place, Unique Performance).

Meanwhile, the American Federation of Teachers, one of NYSUT’s national affiliates, recently announced its communications awards and — you guessed it — NYSUT scored high again with NYSUT.ORG getting first place in the “Best Website” category.

Of course, this is not to imply that the union’s other communications vehicles weren’t also recognized for superior work; NYSUT’s publications and staff who contribute to them are regularly honored by their peers. In fact this year, writer/editor Liza Frenette — a frequent contributor to this blog — received the prestigious “Mary Heaton Vorse Award” from Metro for her touching report on educator Chris Pendergast’s personal fight and leadership against ALS. “Finding Life’s Work — On Borrowed Time” appeared in the January 2011 NYSUT United.

But NYSUT, like so many organizations with deep roots in traditional media, has moved cautiously and, we believe, smartly into the world of new media, making it a part of an overall communications strategy that reaches and serves the union’s diverse membership. So, if other communications professionals say we’re doing it right; well, we’ll take the kudos with pride. And we do so with appreciation to those members and others who electronically follow, comment and like us.