AFSCME Political Action Department Records
Collection
Identifier: LR002343
Scope and Content
The collection contains correspondence, memos, notes, reports, fliers, scripts, surveys, survey data, training manuals, and VHS and audiocassette tapes. Material relates primarily to political campaigns at the state, federal, and local levels. Includes information on candidates and AFSCME member views. As a result of several organizational changes over the years, the Political Action Department records may contain material created by related departments.
Series 1: Administrative records, 1979-2002 (Boxes 1-5) Correspondence, chronological files, weekly status reports, communications with other AFSCME departments, and files from meetings and conferences involving the department, including the Political Action Conference and election debriefing conferences.
Series 2: Campaigns, Projects, and Training files, 1980-2002 (Boxes 5-6) Work related to national/federal political campaigns and elections including information on candidates, election results, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiatives. Also includes scripts for video and audio projects and phone calls training as well as training material created by the department.
Series 3: State files, 1976-2003 (Boxes 6-23) Files related to state-wide and local campaigns.
Series 4: Surveys and Polls, 1977-1997 (Boxes 23-29) Survey and polling data and reports. Most, but not all, involve AFSCME members. Topics generally relate to state and federal elections issues and candidates.
Series 5: Subject files, 1976-1996 (Boxes 29-31) Contains correspondence, publications, and other materials from outside organizations. Includes Democratic National Convention (DNC), and AFL-CIO and COPE (Committee on Political Education) files.
Series 6: Audiovisual material, 1988-1994, undated (Box 32) VHS, Audiocassettes, and a beta tape. Programs created by AFSCME and other organizations related to various campaigns.
Series 1: Administrative records, 1979-2002 (Boxes 1-5) Correspondence, chronological files, weekly status reports, communications with other AFSCME departments, and files from meetings and conferences involving the department, including the Political Action Conference and election debriefing conferences.
Series 2: Campaigns, Projects, and Training files, 1980-2002 (Boxes 5-6) Work related to national/federal political campaigns and elections including information on candidates, election results, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiatives. Also includes scripts for video and audio projects and phone calls training as well as training material created by the department.
Series 3: State files, 1976-2003 (Boxes 6-23) Files related to state-wide and local campaigns.
Series 4: Surveys and Polls, 1977-1997 (Boxes 23-29) Survey and polling data and reports. Most, but not all, involve AFSCME members. Topics generally relate to state and federal elections issues and candidates.
Series 5: Subject files, 1976-1996 (Boxes 29-31) Contains correspondence, publications, and other materials from outside organizations. Includes Democratic National Convention (DNC), and AFL-CIO and COPE (Committee on Political Education) files.
Series 6: Audiovisual material, 1988-1994, undated (Box 32) VHS, Audiocassettes, and a beta tape. Programs created by AFSCME and other organizations related to various campaigns.
Dates
- 1972-2003
Creator
- AFSCME (Organization)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.
History
In 1966, AFSCME established the Legislation and Community Affairs department, which would undergo a series of changes over the next few decades. First, it became the Legislation and Political Education department. Education then became a separate department alongside the Legislation and Political Action department. Political Action then became a separate department while Legislation eventually became known as Federal Government Affairs. AFSCME's PAC, PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality), originally established as its own department, eventually came under Political Action.
The Political Action department monitors political campaigns and ballot measures at the national, state, and local levels, and works to mobilize voters on issues related to public employees.
The Political Action department monitors political campaigns and ballot measures at the national, state, and local levels, and works to mobilize voters on issues related to public employees.
Extent
32 Linear Feet (32 SB)
Abstract
The Political Action department at AFSCME monitors political campaigns and ballot measures at the national, state, and local levels, and works to mobilize voters on issues related to public employees. The AFSCME Political Action Department records relate to these activities and contain correspondence, memos, notes, reports, fliers, scripts, surveys, survey data, training manuals, and VHS and audiocassette tapes. Includes information on candidates and AFSCME member views.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 6 series.
Folders in each series are simply listed by their location within each box. They are not arranged, so any given subject may be dispersed throughout several boxes within each series.
Series 1: Administrative records, 1979-2002 (Boxes 1-5)
Series 2: Campaigns, Projects, and Training files, 1980-2002 (Boxes 5-6)
Series 3: State files, 1976-2003 (Boxes 6-23)
Series 4: Surveys and Polls, 1977-1997 (Boxes 23-29)
Series 5: Subject files, 1976-1996 (Boxes 29-31)
Series 6: Audiovisual material, 1988-1994, undated (Box 32)
Folders in each series are simply listed by their location within each box. They are not arranged, so any given subject may be dispersed throughout several boxes within each series.
Series 1: Administrative records, 1979-2002 (Boxes 1-5)
Series 2: Campaigns, Projects, and Training files, 1980-2002 (Boxes 5-6)
Series 3: State files, 1976-2003 (Boxes 6-23)
Series 4: Surveys and Polls, 1977-1997 (Boxes 23-29)
Series 5: Subject files, 1976-1996 (Boxes 29-31)
Series 6: Audiovisual material, 1988-1994, undated (Box 32)
Acquisition
The AFSCME Political Action Department records were placed with the Reuther Library in several shipments between 2011 and 2013. The Reuther is the offical depository for AFSCME International records.
Transfers
One box of VHS and audio cassette tapes transfered to the Reuther Library AV Department.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Stefanie Caloia on April 18, 2018.
Creator
- AFSCME (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Stefanie Caloia.
- Date
- 2018-04-18
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Ave.
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Ave.
Detroit MI 48202 USA