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Finding Aid to the The Working Group Records
larc.ms.0064  
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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 6-14

Financials 1992-2000

carton 1, folder 15-18

Staff and interns 1990-1997

carton 1, folder 19-21

Notebooks 1990-1999

carton 2, folder 1-3

Membership 1993-1998

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

Joady Awards 1990-2000

 

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 1-76

Press coverage 1995-2000

carton 7, folder 77

Work Life poll 1997

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 3

Media commitments 1997

carton 8, folder 4-14

Promotional events 1996-1999

carton 8, folder 15-36

Outreach and publicity 1998-2000

carton 8, folder 37

Correspondence 1999-2000

carton 9, folder 1-2

Business and Professional Women (BPW) outreach 1999

 

Episode Files

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 26

Budget

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 1

Navajo miners 1991

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 18-20

Correspondence 1984-1991

carton 16, folder 21

Barbara Boxer commendation 1991

carton 16, folder 22-23

Episode marketing plans 1992-1993

carton 16, folder 24-25

Mailing lists 1991-1993

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

carton 19, folder 3

Union funding 1993

 

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 23-24

"Booted Out" 1993-1994

carton 19, folder 25

"Childcare Workers, Cowgirls, and Mechanics" 1992

carton 19, folder 26

"Covering the Workplace" 1994

carton 19, folder 27-28

"Danger at Work" 1995

carton 20, folder 1

"Discounted Lives" 1993-1995

carton 20, folder 2-6

"Dying for a Job" 1991-1994

carton 20, folder 7

"Family Fuel" 1989

carton 20, folder 8

"Framing the Page" 1993

carton 20, folder 9

"The Golden Cage" 1993

carton 20, folder 10-17

"Heroes"

carton 20, folder 18-24

"Heroes 2" 1993-1994

carton 20, folder 25-27

"Heroes 3" 1996-1996

carton 20, folder 28, carton 21, folder 1

"Heroes of the Quake" 1990

carton 21, folder 2-3

"Immigrant Workers" 1995

carton 21, folder 4-5

"Kid Shields" 1995

carton 21, folder 6

"Leather Soul" 1994

carton 21, folder 7-19, carton 22, folder 1

"Leaving Home" 1992-1994

carton 22, folder 2-3

"Life on the Beam" 1993

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 11

Power Switch 1997

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, folder 23

Rural America 1994

carton 23, carton 24-26

"Sewing Our Future" 1990-1993

carton 23, folder 27

"Strikestory" 1994

carton 23, folder 28-33, carton 24, folder 1-10

"Taking Off"

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 1-3

Acquired works 1979-1994

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 12-16

Financials 1998-1999

carton 29, folder 17

Budget, schedule, content, communications 1999

carton 29, folder 18-25, carton 30, folder 1-4

Tape logs 1999

carton 30, folder 5-11

Transcripts 1999

carton 30, folder 12-13

Script, narration 1999

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

carton 30, folder 56-60

Outreach 1999