Finding Aid to the The Working Group Records
Conor Casey, revised by Frances Wratten Kaplan.
Labor Archives and Research Center
1999, revised in 2016
San Francisco State University
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco 94132-1722
larc@sfsu.edu
Title: The Working Group records
Date (inclusive): 1979-2005
Date (bulk): 1991-1999
Creator:
California Working Group
Creator:
Working Group (Oakland, Calif.)
Extent:
37.5 Cubic Feet
(30 cartons)
Collection number: larc.ms.0064
Accession number: 2008/005 and 2009/007
Repository:
Labor Archives and Research Center
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
San Francisco State University
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
(415) 405-5571
larc@sfsu.edu
Abstract: The Working Group records consist of production, research, outreach, and financial materials generated by The Working Group
(TWG), an independent media production company based in Oakland, California. The bulk of the records span the years 1991 to
1999 and were created during the production of three television series related to working people:
California Working,
We Do the Work, and
Livelyhood. The records document the activities of the organization as it produced programs for broadcast on public television. Also
included are materials created in the production of documentaries for client organizations, in particular, the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS) documentary
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter.
Location: Materials are stored offsite; requires advance notice.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English.
Availability
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives and Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the Labor Archives and Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], The Working Group Records, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.
Related Material
The Labor Archives Film and Video Collection contains most of the VHS copies of
Livelyhood and
We Do the Work and some episodes of
California Working. Several of the Working Group's contract productions are also in the video collection. Photographs and negatives have been
transferred to the Labor Archives Photograph Collection.
Separated Material
Photographs and negatives were removed and integrated into the Labor Archives Photograph Collection. Videocassettes were integrated
into the Labor Archives Film and Videocassette Collection. Tape logs were photocopied and the originals were returned to The
Working Group. Photocopies of these files were then integrated into their original folders.
Acquisition Information
The Working Group Records were donated to the Labor Archives and Research Center by Rhian Miller, co-founder of The Working
Group, in September 2008 (accession number 2008/005). A second accession was donated by Rhian Miller in February 2009 (accession
number 2009/007).
Processing Information
Processed by Casey Conor in 2008-2009; with additional processing by Diana Wuerthner in 2015. Revised by Frances Kaplan in
2016.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series: Series 1: The Working Group Administrative Files, 1987-2005; Series 2:
Livelyhood, 1990-2001; Series 3:
We Do the Work, 1984-2002; Series 4: Contract Documentaries, 1979-2005.
Organizational / Administrative History
The Working Group (TWG) is an Oakland-based non-profit media company founded in late 1987 with the goal of producing media
focused on labor issues told from the perspective of the worker. TWG first created a local, half-hour news magazine format
show,
California Working, produced by Ed Herzog, Patrice O'Neill, and Rhian Miller. Later renamed
We Do the Work, the series featured several guest hosts, but eventually Will Durst, comedian and political commentator, became the regular
host. The series included occasional documentary specials and also featured the work of other independent filmmakers.
The Working Group focused outreach efforts on individual PBS stations all across the country, convincing programming directors
at each local affiliate to air the series. Such local distribution often resulted in irregular scheduling and broadcasts being
played in non-primetime slots. After gaining positive recognition with
We Do the Work, The Working Group approached PBS with a proposal to create a national primetime program, thus guaranteeing it a larger audience
and broader exposure in national media markets. With this in mind, The Working Group producers developed
Livelyhood, a series that differed in format, scope, frequency, and tone from
We Do the Work. The program, which ran for three seasons and was hosted by Will Durst, examined the impact of globalization and the "new
economy" on American workers.
In December 1995, The Working Group screened
Not in Our Town, a half-hour documentary focusing on the residents of Billings, Montana and the community's reaction to hate crimes in their
town. The documentary grew into a PBS series and sparked a national movement to combat hate and violence in communities all
over the world.
The Working Group also produced contract documentaries for PBS, unions, and other organizations.
Scope and Contents
The Working Group Collection comprises production, research, outreach, and financial records generated by The Working Group,
an independent media production company based in Oakland, California. The Working Group produces locally and nationally distributed
documentary television programs related to labor and work issues for broadcast on public television. The bulk of the collection
spans the years 1991-1999 and documents the activities of the organization during the production of the half-hour series,
California Working, later known as
We Do the Work, and the hour-long series,
Livelyhood, about the changing nature of work and its place in the lives of American workers.
The collection also contains materials created during the production of documentaries made for client organizations, including
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter.
The records of Series I reflect the administrative activities of the organization, including press releases and clippings
related to the history of The Working Group, board meeting agendas, minutes, correspondence, financial statements, documents
related to the hiring of staff and interns, and notes of ideas and potential show topics.
Series 2 and 3 comprise records generated in the research, planning, production, and promotion of the television series
We Do the Work, and
Livelyhood. Includes scripts, budgets, schedules, correspondence, tape logs, planning notes, news clippings, press releases, and feedback
from viewers.
Series 4 contains records related to The Working Group's production of contract documentaries for PBS and other organizations.
The bulk of the records were created in the production of the hour-long documentary for PBS,
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documentary television programs.
Downsizing of organizations -- United States.
Employees -- Effect of technological innovations on.
Fire departments -- California -- Oakland.
Occupational retraining -- United States.
Night work -- United States.
Work and family -- United States.
International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union -- History.
Women -- Employment -- United States.
Labor disputes -- Case studies.
Quality of work life -- United States.
Temporary employment -- United States.
Hate crimes -- United States.
Labor unions -- Organizing -- United States.
Woodard, Alfre, 1953-
Durst, Will
Miller, Rhian
Beatty, Ned
O'Neill, Patrice
Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
Series 1:
Organizational Files
1987-2005
Physical Description: 149 folders (Carton 1, folders 1-21; Carton 2, folders 1-30; Carton 3, folders 1 to 21; Carton 4, folders 1-39; Carton 5, folders 1-38)
Scope and Content
The Working Group Organization Files comprise the operational and administrative records of The Working Group. These materials
reflect the activities of the organization as it sought to research, fund, produce, and promote television documentaries.
Series 1 contains a history of The Working Group, resumes of producers, a biography of Will Durst, employee and intern hiring
documents, information on acquired works, and film project pitches. Also includes records generated in the day-to-day running
of the organization including meeting notes, minutes, correspondence, budget and financial statements, information on funding
sources, and production tape logs, scripts, and edit lists. Outreach and publicity materials, including news clippings and
press releases, reflect The Working Group's promotional and fund raising methods.
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
carton 1, folder 1-4
Background and history
1988-1997
carton 1, folder 5
Board member correspondence
1991-1998
carton 1, folder 15-18
Staff and interns
1990-1997
carton 2, folder 4-28
Marketing and outreach
1987-2002
Physical Description: Donor info requests, publicity, marketing
carton 2, folder 29-30, carton 3, folder 1-10
Tape orders and sales
1989-1995
carton 3, folder 11-18
Series research and proposals
1994-2005
carton 3, folder 19-21, carton 4, folder 1-6
Crystal Lee Sutton Awards
1994-1997
carton 4, folder 7-39, carton 5, folder 1-38
Series 2:
Livelyhood
1990-2001
Physical Description: 416 folders (Carton 6, folders 1-40; Carton 7, folders 1-79; Carton 8, folders 1-36; Carton 9, folders 1-67; Carton 10, folders 1-60;
Carton 11, folders 1-63; Carton 12, folders 1-57; Carton 13, folders 1-14)
Scope and Content
Comprises research, production, press, and outreach materials created from each episode of the television documentary series
Livelyhood. Includes reports, articles, and subject files that
Livelyhood producers used in researching episode segments for the series, as well as episode-specific production materials including
story pitches, transcripts of interviews, meeting notes, program descriptions, episode development notes, tape logs, edit
lists, and travel planning information. Press and outreach materials consist of donor packets, audience polls, event materials,
and press clippings from news publications across the United States.
Arrangement
Arranged as received. Materials related to specific episodes are arranged in order the episode was broadcast.
General
Livelyhood premiered on November 1, 1997 and continued for three seasons. In each hour-long episode, host Will Durst focuses on issues
related to the changing nature of work and the effect of a global economy on workers in America.
carton 6, folder 1-11
Subject research files
1990-2001
Physical Description: 0 foldersGeneral research, production, outreach, press, publicicty, funding, and event materials for the t.v. series Livelyhood. The
folders are arranged by topic: Research; Production; and Outreach.Each topical folder grouping is arranged in cronological
order.
carton 6, folder 12-26
Production and planning notes, correspondence, itineraries, and scripts
1994-2001
carton 6, folder 27-28
Viewer responses
1999-2000
carton 6, folder 29-35
Website content
1999-2000
carton 6, folder 36-38
Corporate sponsors
1992-1995
carton 6, folder 39-40
Film festival submissions
1995-2000
carton 7, folder 78-80
Ratings and carriage reports
1997-2000
carton 8, folder 1-2
Grant applications and funding
1999-2000
carton 8, folder 4-14
Promotional events
1996-1999
carton 8, folder 15-36
Outreach and publicity
1998-2000
carton 9, folder 1-2
Business and Professional Women (BPW) outreach
1999
carton 9, folder 3-37
Season 1, Episode 1: "Shift Change"
1994-1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 1, episode 1 of the series
Livelyhood. In "Shift Change" viewers meet people who have faced difficult challenges in the workplace.
carton 9, folder 38-67, carton 10, folder 1-19
Season 1, Episode 2: "Working Family Values"
1991-1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 1, episode 2 of the series
Livelyhood. "Working Family Values" follows Americans who are balancing jobs and familial obligations. Series 1 premiered on November
1, 1997.
carton 10, folder 20-52
Season 1, Episode 3: "Honey, We Bought the Company"
1998-1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 1, episode 3 of the series
Livelyhood. "Honey, We Bought the Company" covers the subject of employee-owned businesses in the United States.
carton 10, folder 53-60, carton 11, folder 1-35
Season 1, Episode 4: "Our Towns"
1997-1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 1, episode 4 of the series
Livelyhood. "Our Towns" profiles the economic development efforts of large cities and small towns across America.
carton 11, folder 36-64, carton 12, carton 1-4
Season 2, Episode 1: "Chipping Off the Old Block"
1997-1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 2, episode 1 of the series
Livelyhood. "Chipping Off the Old Block" deals with the American work ethic.
carton 12, folder 5-22
Season 2, Episode 2: "Carpool to Nirvana"
1999
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 2, episode 2 of the series
Livelyhood. In "Carpool to Nirvana" the host Will Durst searches for the ideal workplace, and ways to get there.
carton 12, folder 23-46
Season 2, Episode 3: "Night Shift"
1997-2000
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 2, episode 3 of the series
Livelyhood. "Night Shift focuses on the 24-7 economy, and follows members of the workforce whose regular shift is from dusk till dawn.
carton 12, folder 47-57, carton 13, folder 1-14
Season 3, Episodes 1 and 2: "Planet Work" (Parts I and II)
2000-2001
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the research and production of season 3, episodes 1 and 2 of the series
Livelyhood. "Planet Work: Making the Planet Work" and "Planet Work: Working the Planet" is a two-part episode focusing on workers and
globalization.
Series 3:
We Do the Work
1984-2002
Physical Description: 523 folders (Carton 13, folders 15-39; Carton 14, folders 1-29; Carton 15, folders 1-49; Carton 16, folders 1-39; Carton 17, folders 1-47;
Carton 18, folders 1-84; Carton 19, folders 1-28; Carton 20, folders 1-28; Carton 21, folders 1-19; Carton 22, folders 1-47;
Carton 23, folders 1-33; Carton 24, folders 1-19, Carton 25, folders 1-17; Carton 26, folders 1-31 ; Carton 27, folders 1-28)
Scope and Content
Comprises research, production, press, and outreach materials created from each episode of
We Do the Work, a television documentary series focusing on labor issues.
Arrangement
Series 3 is divided into five subseries: Subseries 3.1: California Working; Subseries 3.2: Production; Subseries 3.3: Research;
Subseries 3.4: Outreach and Publicity; Subseries 3.5: Episode Files.
General
We Do the Work, a radio show that presents workplace issues from the viewpoint of working people, ran for seven seasons on public television.
Each 30 minute documentary episode focuses on a different labor related issue, including free trade, globalization, child
labor, women in the workplace, prison labor, unions, and civil rights. Hosts include Will Durst, Lee Grant, Ned Beatty, Ed
Asner, Danny Glover, and Alfre Woodard. Produced by Patrice O'Neill and Rhian Miller.
Subseries 3.1:
California Working
1984-1992
Physical Description: 35 folders (Carton 13, folders 15-39; Carton 14, folders 1-10)
Arangement
Arranged as received
Scope and Contents
California Working was the early title given to the series
We Do The Work.
carton 13, folder 15-35
Outreach and Publicity
1984-1992
Physical Description: 22 folders.
Scope and Contents
Includes press releases, program descriptions, publicity packets, feedback letters from viewers, and news clippings for
California Working.
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
carton 13, folder 36-39
Production
1984-1988
Physical Description: 4 folders
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Contents
Consists of tape logs, scripts, and planning notes related to the production of
California Working.
carton 14, folder 1-9
Research
1984-1989
Physical Description: 9 folders
Scope and Contents
Contains articles, notes, clippings, reports, and other supporting research materials related to individual episodes of
California Working.
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
carton 14, folder 10
Financial
1988
Physical Description: 1 folder
Scope and Contents
Comprises financial statements, balance sheets, and tax returns.
Arranement
Arranged as received.
Subseries 3.2:
Production
1990-1999
Physical Description: 19 folders (Carton 14, folders 11-29)
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Contents
Contains administrative materials generated in the production of the television series
We Do the Work, including the mission statement, funding and budget documents, meeting notes and minutes, planning notes, research materials,
scripts, episode study guides, tape logs, and transcripts.
carton 14, folder 11
Mission statement
undated
carton 14, folder 12-14
Meeting minutes and notes
circa 1990s
carton 14, folder 15-25
Production and episode planning materials
1991-1997
carton 14, folder 27-29
Episode study guides
circa 1990s
Subseries 3.3:
Research
1991-1994
Physical Description: 6 folders (Carton 15, folders 1-6)
Scope and Contents
Contains articles, notes, clippings, reports, and other supporting research materials related to individual episodes of
We Do The Work.
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
carton 15, folder 2-6
General research notes and reports
circa 1991-1994
Subseries 3.4:
Outreach and Publicity
1984-2002
Physical Description: 216 folders (Carton 15, folders 7-49; Carton 16, folders 1-39; Carton 17, folders 1-47; Carton 18, folders 1-84; Carton 19, folders 1-3)
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Contents
Consists of correspondence and promotional materials created to publicize the show and advocate broadcasting of the series
in various local and national markets. Includes press releases, mailing lists, episode marketing plans, flyers, promotional
brochures for individual episodes, and audience feedback letters and surveys. Also includes clippings documenting the press
coverage of
We Do the Work, and event materials, including entry forms for film festival such as the Jewish Film Festival and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
carton 15, folder 7-49, carton 16, folder 1-15
Audience feedback letters
1989-1997
carton 16, folder 16-17
Survey responses
circa 1990-1995
carton 16, folder 21
Barbara Boxer commendation
1991
carton 16, folder 22-23
Episode marketing plans
1992-1993
carton 16, folder 26-27
Festival outreach
1991-1993
carton 16, folder 28-33
Promotional events
1991-1992
carton 16, folder 34-39
Broadcast stations outreach
1991-1996
carton 17, folder 1-3
Episode tape orders
1992-1996
carton 17, folder 4-5
Student letters of response
1996-2002
carton 17, folder 6-48, carton 18, folder 1-84, carton 19, folder 1-2
Press coverage and promotion
1989-1996
Subseries 3.5:
Episode Files
1984-1999
Physical Description: 247 folders (Carton 19, folders 4-28; Carton 20, folders 1-28; Carton 21, folders 1-19; Carton 22, folders 1-47; Carton 23, folders 1-33;
Carton 24, folders 1-19; Carton 25, folders 1-17, Carton 26, folders 1-31; Carton 27, folders 1-28)
Arrangement
Arranged by episode.
Scope and Contents
Comprises records generated from the research, planning, production, and promotion of episodes of
We Do The Work.
carton 19, folder 4-22
"Biting the Bullet"
1989-1991
carton 19, folder 25
"Childcare Workers, Cowgirls, and Mechanics"
1992
carton 19, folder 26
"Covering the Workplace"
1994
carton 20, folder 1
"Discounted Lives"
1993-1995
carton 20, folder 2-6
"Dying for a Job"
1991-1994
carton 20, folder 28, carton 21, folder 1
"Heroes of the Quake"
1990
carton 21, folder 7-19, carton 22, folder 1
carton 22, folder 4-5
"Locked Out in America"
1992-1994
carton 22, folder 6
"Looking back: Moments in Labor History"
1994
carton 22, folder 7
"Making Tracks: Inside Lionel Trains"
1995
carton 22, folder 8-10
"Navajo Medicine"
1992-1994
carton 22, folder 12-13
"Working Until it Hurts"
1999
carton 22, folder 14-39
"Not in Our Town"
1994-1996
Scope and Contents
Bulk comprises press releases, film festival entry forms, press clipping and outreach materials related to the documentary
special
Not in Our Town.
General
Not In Our Town, a project of The Working Group, was first broadcast in December 1995 as a half-hour PBS special on the town of Billings,
Montana and the community's response to a rash of hate crimes in their town.
The program's impact was so great that it led to screenings and town hall meetings in communities all over the United States,
and launched a multi-platform movement that combined documentary film, outreach, and grass roots organizing, to mobilize community
action against hate and intolerance around the world.
carton 22, folder 40-47, carton 23, folder 1-22
"Prison Labor/Prison Blues"
1990-1995
carton 23, carton 24-26
"Sewing Our Future"
1990-1993
carton 23, folder 28-33, carton 24, folder 1-10
carton 24, carton 11-17
"This Far By Faith"
1990-1995
carton 24, carton 18-19, carton 25, folder 1-17, carton 26, folder 1-31, carton 27, folder 1-2
"Ties That Bind"
1984-1995
carton 27, folder 3-7
"Tools of the Trade"
1995
carton 27, folder 8-10
"Transit Tech: Brooklyn's Turnaround School"
1992
carton 27, folder 11-16
"Working Until It Hurts"
1990-1994
carton 27, folder 17-28
"Workplace Beat"
1995-1997
Series 4:
Contract Documentaries
1979-2005
Physical Description: 109 folders (Carton 28, folders 1- 24 ; Carton 29, folders 1- 25 ; Carton 30, folders 1-60)
Scope and Contents
Series 4 comprises records generated from the research, planning, production, and promotion of contract documentaries produced
by The Working Group for PBS, unions, and other organizations.
The bulk of the series contains production and research notes for
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter, an hour-long documentary produced by Patrice O'Neill, Kyung Sun Yu, and Gary Mercer. The documentary follows a group of
young men and women from diverse backgrounds competing to become fire fighters for the Oakland Fire Department.
Arrangement
This series is further divided into two subseries: Subseries 4.1, Documentary Shorts, is arranged in alphabetical order by
title of documentary. Subseries 4.2,
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter, is arranged as received.
Subseries 4.1:
Documentary Shorts
1979-2005
Physical Description: 29 folders (Carton 28, folders 1-24; Carton 29, folders 1-5)
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Scope and Contents
Records collected and generated by The The Working Group during the research, planning, production,and promotion of documentaries
funded by, and created for, various organizations, including the California State Building Trades Council, the Bay Area School-to-Career
Action network, the Japanese National Chamber of Commerce, and the AFL-CIO.
carton 28, folder 4
AFL-CIO Convention video (AFL-CIO)
1999
carton 28, folder 5
Blue Diamond Strike (Labor Institute of Public Affairs)
1993
carton 28, folder 6-8
Building Dreams (Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee)
1991
carton 28, folder 9
Jack Henning retirement
1999
carton 28, folder 10
Japanese National Chamber of Commerce 50th Anniversary
1999
carton 28, folder 11-12
Jimmy Herman memorial
1998-1999
carton 28, folder 13
Lucy Parsons video (Funding Exchange)
1994-1995
carton 28, folder 14
New United Motor Manufacturing/St. Francis Hotel (Beagle, Abernathy & Mitchell)
1994
carton 28, folder 15
No Butts About It (California State Building Trades Council)
2000-2001
carton 28, folder 16-18
Our Jobs/Our Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)
1996-1997
carton 28, folder 19-20
Playing For Keeps (California Alliance For Jobs)
1996
carton 28, folder 21
Power Switch (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
1996-1997
carton 28, folder 22
Powerful Learning (Bay Area School-to-Career Action Network)
1998
carton 28, folder 23-24
Turbulent Romance (Association of Flight Attendants)
2005
carton 29, folder 1-3
Victory or Extinction (California Building Trades Council)
1997
carton 29, folder 4
Voices of Victory/No on Proposition 226 (California State Federation of Labor)
1998
carton 29, folder 5
We Stand for Safety (International Association of Machinists)
2005
Subseries 4.2:
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter
1998-1999
Physical Description: 80 folders (Carton 29, folders 6-25; Carton 30, folders 1-60)
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Scope and Contents
Comprises correspondence, budgets, tape logs, shoot schedules, story meeting notes, scene outlines, transcripts, and interview
notes generated in the planning and production stages of the PBS documentary,
Test of Courage: The Making of a Firefighter. Materials collected by the producers for research purposes include clippings, reports, articles, and notes related to Prop
209, diversity in the workplace, and the role of the fire department in civic life. Also includes a state-by-state outreach
plan for promoting the documentary.
carton 29, folder 6
Oakland firefighter correspondence
1999
carton 29, folder 7-11
Proposals, story meeting notes, timelines
1998-1999
carton 29, folder 17
Budget, schedule, content, communications
1999
carton 29, folder 18-25, carton 30, folder 1-4
carton 30, folder 14-25
General production notes
1999
carton 30, folder 26-50
Research articles, clippings, notes
1990-1999
carton 30, folder 51-55
Firefighter profiles
1999