Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on June 19, 2018. English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Walter P. Reuther Library 5401 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48202 URL: https://reuther.wayne.edu Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 History ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Scope and Content ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Arrangement ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 5 Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Series 1, Administrative records ................................................................................................................. 6 Series 2, Campaigns, Projects, Training ................................................................................................... 11 Series 3, State files .................................................................................................................................... 12 Series 4, Surveys and Polls ....................................................................................................................... 33 Series 5, Subject files ................................................................................................................................ 38 Series 6, Audiovisual material .................................................................................................................. 42 - Page 2 - Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 Summary Information Repository: Walter P. Reuther Library Creator: AFSCME Title: AFSCME Political Action Department Records ID: LR002343 Date [inclusive]: 1972-2003 Physical Description: 32 Linear Feet (32 SB) Language of the English Material: Language of the Material entirely in English. Material: 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. Citation Style "AFSCME Political Action Department Records, Box [#], Folder [#], Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University" ^ Return to Table of Contents 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 - Page 3- Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 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. ^ Return to Table of Contents 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. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 4- Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 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) ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Walter P. Reuther Library 5401 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48202 URL: https://reuther.wayne.edu 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. Processing History Processed and finding aid written by Stefanie Caloia on April 18, 2018. - Page 5- Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 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. ^ Return to Table of Contents Related Materials Related Materials AFSCME Legislation and Political Education Department Records, AFSCME Office of the President: Gerald McEntee Records, AFSCME Communications Department Records Transfers One box of VHS and audio cassette tapes transfered to the Reuther Library AV Department. ^ Return to Table of Contents Collection Inventory Series 1, Administrative records Title/Description Instances Memos; Scanlon, Larry, 1996 Box 1 Folder 1 Smith, Linda, 1996 Box 1 Folder 2 Strader, Andrea, 1996 Box 1 Folder 3 Topacio Flores, Kathleen, 1996 Box 1 Folder 4 Ward, Jay; West Virginia Box 1 Folder 5 Joe Kupfer, Santa Fe, NM Box 1 Folder 6 Cordelia Lewis, Indianapolis, IN Box 1 Folder 7 Pelote, Willie Sr., Sacramento, CA Box 1 Folder 8 - Page 6- Guide to the AFSCME Political Action Department Records LR002343 Steinke, Judy, Sacramento, CA Box 1 Folder 9 Memos; Executive Offices Box 1 Folder 10 Legislation, 1996 Box 1 Folder 11 Organizing and Field Services, 1996 Box 1 Folder 12 PEOPLE, 1996 Box 1 Folder 13 Memos; Jay Ward, 1996 Box 1 Folder 14 Public Affairs, 1996 Box 1 Folder 15 Retiree, 1996 Box 1 Folder 16 Women's Rights, 1996 Box 1 Folder 17 Public Policy, 1996 Box 1 Folder 18 Political Action, 1996 Box 1 Folder 19 International Executive Board, 1996 Box 1 Folder 20 The '96 Project Box 1 Folder 21 Chronological Files, 1987 January Box 1 Folder 22 Chronological Files, 1987 February Box 1 Folder 23 Chronological Files, 1987 March Box 1 Folder 24 Chronological Files, 1987 June Box 1 Folder 25 Chronological Files, 1987 July Box 1 Folder 26 Chronological Files, 1987 August Box 1 Folder 27 Chronological Files, 1987 September