Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title UE Radio Broadcasts and Film Records Creator
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
Collection Number UE.8.2 Extent
25.85 Linear Feet
(27 boxes and 121 film reels)
Date 1941-2002 Abstract This subgroup of the Education and Publicity Department Record Group contains correspondence, scripts, film, tapes, and other non-print media produced by the UE. The materials in this subgroup provide information on labor issues and UE conventions, in addition to an overview of how the UE interacted with the public and union members through film and radio programming. Language
English
. Author Zachary Brodt. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections History
The United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) Education Department is designed to educate members and workers about the union and labor issues. In addition to producing several publications throughout the year, the Education Department is responsible for the creation of informational films. In the past, the department produced radio programs that provided commentary on world events and labor issues. These programs were successful but, like many of the union's efforts during the 1950s, fell victim to budget cuts as the UE battled the CIO's International Union of Electrical Workers (IUE) for members.
Film was also acquired by the Research Department of the UE. Informational film produced by other unions and organizations about union committees and labor issues were kept for educational and research purposes. Footage of UE National Conventions and local events were also maintained by the union for future reference.
Scope and Content Notes This subgroup of the Education and Publicity Department Record Group contains correspondence, scripts, film, tapes, and other non-print media produced by the UE. These may include locally produced items that the national office collected for research or national office productions. The materials in this subgroup provide an overview of how the UE interacted with the public and union members through film and radio programming. Film and video regarding labor issues such as sexism, automation, and workers rights indicate how the UE informed union members of problems they were facing. Audio reels and videos also record activity at several UE National Conventions.
There is a lot of content overlap between formats and series in this subgroup. Several film shorts, such as "Free Riding Rufus," "Keeping Up with the Van Jones," and "Sister UE Goes to Washington" are present in both U-Matic and reel to reel formats. Film and audio regarding Arthur Gaeth is found in the film and audio series.
Materials regarding renowned radio journalist Arthur Gaeth are processed to the folder level, otherwise material is processed to the series and box levels.
Arrangement
This subgroup has been divided into five series as follows:
Series 8.2.1. Arthur Gaeth Collection
Series 8.2.2. Other Radio Programs and Scripts
Series 8.2.3. Audio
Series 8.2.4. Film
Series 8.2.5. Slides
Access Restrictions
The records of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America are closed for a period of twenty-five years after their creation.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America in 1986, 1997, and 2004.
Previous Citation
UE Radio Broadcasts and Film Records, 1941-2002, UE.8.2, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
UE Radio Broadcasts and Film Records, 1941-2002, UE.8.2, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Zachary Brodt in June, 2008.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Related Material
Red Channels: The Report of Communist Influence in Radio and Television can be found at the Hillman Library, University of Pittsburgh, call number HE8698 .A512.
Subjects Corporate Names American Broadcasting Company United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Education Department United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America. Publicity Department United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Research Department United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Genres Videocassettes Radio scripts Other Subjects Labor Educational videos Labor unions and radio -- United States Radio programs -- United States Radio broadcasters -- United States Radio broadcasting -- United States Container List Series 8.2.1. Arthur Gaeth Collection Scope and Contents note Arthur Gaeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1906. He became a reporter well known to radio listeners for his liberal views on world events. Gaeth was one of two American reporters covering the execution of Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg and was the first reporter to broadcast from a hearing of the United States Senate. In 1947, Gaeth began to broadcast for the UE on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network. In addition, Gaeth also participated in lectures and submitted articles for publication. In January 1950, the UE could no longer afford to sponsor Gaeth's radio program due to their battle with their emerging CIO counterpart, the IUE. By June of the same year, he was denounced as a Communist in Red Channels: The Report of Communist Influence in Radio and Television and subsequently blacklisted within the entertainment industry.
This series contains materials on the radio program On the Air with Arthur Gaeth, which was supported by the UE. Included are numerous files of correspondence by both UE and non-UE members requesting information on Gaeth or program scripts. In addition to correspondence, there are also several lists of stations that carried the Gaeth program during the late 1940s. Original and copied scripts of the Gaeth program from 1947-1950 discuss the American economy, labor union news, and foreign affairs, among other topics. Finally, the collection contains a short biography of Gaeth, printed broadcasts from 1947 to 1950, sample radio spots, and releases pertaining to the program. Audio of Gaeth can be found in Series 8-2-3 and film regarding Gaeth can be found in Series 8-2-4.
Biography , 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 1 Correspondence Within the UE , 1947-1950 Containers box 1 , folder 02-08 Correspondence Outside the UE , 1948-1949 Containers box 1 , folder 09-15 List of ABC Stations , July 3, 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 16 List of Newspapers where Ads are to be Placed , 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 17 List of Stations Carrying UE Program , 1947 Containers box 1 , folder 18 Original Scripts , 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 19-21 Printed Broadcasts , 1947-1948 Containers box 1 , folder 22 Releases: Gaeth Tour , July 3, 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 23 Releases: Labor Press, New Network , April 9, 1948 Containers box 1 , folder 24 Releases: Papers and All UE, New Live Stations , December 26, 1947 Containers box 1 , folder 25 Sample Letter for Community Use , 1947 Containers box 1 , folder 26 Sample Radio Spots Containers box 1 , folder 27 Sample Spot Radio Announcement , 1947 Containers box 1 , folder 28 Scripts , 1949-1950 Containers box 1 , folder 29-31 Series 8.2.2. Other Radio Programs and Scripts Scope and Contents note This series contains materials regarding various UE radio programs, excluding that of Arthur Gaeth. Scripts for the UE shows Report from Washington and News of Labor are represented as well as scripts from locally produced shows in Erie, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Schenectady, Johnstown, and Sunbury. Scripts used for television spots and UE produced movies are also present in this series. Many of these scripts contain information on local troubles and events, in addition to national union and labor issues. Correspondence regarding the union's search for radio stations to broadcast shows and requests for scripts are present as well.
"Report from Washington," "News of Labor," and Other Radio Scripts , 1950s "Report from Washington" Scripts , 1953-1956 Movie and radio scripts, local publications Scripts from Erie, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Schenectady, Johnstown, and Sunbury Local Television and Radio Scripts Radio Scripts Correspondence Regarding Broadcasts Series 8.2.3. Audio Scope and Contents note The reels in this series contain audio recordings of various UE programs and presentations. Included are tapes of Arthur Gaeth radio programs, UE National Convention speeches, and informational programs on labor issues. A variety of other radio programs were recorded to preserve interviews with a variety of UE and labor leaders for future research. The names of these programs are not known due to a lack of identification on the boxes. Many of the reels are not labeled and have not been subsequently identified.
Audio Reels Audio Reels of Radio Programs Audio Cassettes Series 8.2.4. Film Scope and Contents note This series contains short films, news, and convention footage regarding the UE. These include VHS, U-Matic, and reel to reel UE and locally produced films. The film in this series has been arranged by format and contains a variety of subject matter. Many of the reels contain short films on labor issues such as automation, while many of the VHS and U-Matic cassettes contain footage from UE National Conventions, Labor Party events, and local productions. Some of the short films exist in U-Matic and reel to reel formats. Inventories of the reel to reel, VHS, and U-Matic films exist and are accessible at the Archives Service Center. Several boxes of material from the UE local at the Westinghouse plant in East Pittsburgh are included in this series as well. These boxes contain film concerning specific events of the local.
VHS and U-Matic Cassettes Containers box 14 Item 1. PTP Workers- Raw Footage, VHS , 1995
Item 2-3. We Can Do It at PTP, VHS
Item 4. March Against Police Brutality, Pittsburgh, VHS , 1996
Item 5. Cox Creek- Free Forum in Baltimore, VHS , 1989
Item 6. Convention Video- Local Interviews #3, VHS , 1994
Item 7. Convention Video- Rally Interviews, VHS , 1994
Item 8. UE History- Slides, VHS
Item 9. UE History- Statements for History, VHS
Item 10. Global Economy Workshop Part 1, VHS
Item 11. IATSE Exposed, VHS
Item 12-13. UE+IUGA=A Good Contract!, VHS
Item 14. 50th Anniversary Slide Show, VHS
Item 15-16. Woodmar: Our Future, VHS
Item 17. Litton Corporate Campaign, VHS
Item 18. Organizing Video- We Can Do It, Bob Kingsley, VHS
Item 19. Pittsburgh Demonstrations- Heath Care Rally, Jobs With Justice on Channel 4 News, VHS , 1991
Item 20. Pittsburgh Demonstrations- Heath Care Rally, Jobs With Justice on Channel 11 News, VHS , 1991
Item 21. Rallies & Demonstrations- Local 1421 Program and March, Compton, CA, VHS , 1995
Item 22. Rallies & Demonstrations- GE Plant and Gate Rally, VHS , 1988
Item 23. Rallies & Demonstrations- ACE Co. Rally, VHS , 1995
Item 24. Rallies & Demonstrations- JWJ WRB Hearing Workfare, Albany, NY, VHS , 1997
Item 25. Rallies & Demonstrations- GE Walkouts/Membership, Warner Theater, VHS , 1995
Item 26. Rallies & Demonstrations- Friction Demonstration, VHS , 1994
Item 27. Rallies & Demonstrations- Several Postal Workers Picket, California, VHS
Item 28. Rallies & Demonstrations- Rally at Federal Building, VHS , 1990
Item 29. Rallies & Demonstrations- Workers Rights/Bedford Leadership Meeting, VHS , 1991
Item 30. Rallies & Demonstrations- Bob Kingsley- Generic Anti-NAFTA, VHS
Item 31. GE/Parkersburg, VHS
Item 32. Parkersburg Woodmar Video, Harold Lockhart, U-Matic , 1992
Item 33. Miscellaneous Reel 3 of 3, U-Matic
Item 34. Arthur Gaeth Reports, U-Matic
Item 35. Women, U-Matic , 1953-1962
Item 36. Women Conference Footage 2 of 2, U-Matic , 1953
VHS and U-Matic Cassettes Containers box 15 Item 1. Fred Wright, U-Matic
Item 2. Transferred UE Films: "Free Riding Rufus" "UE Goes to Press" "Keeping Up with the Van Jones" and "Sister UE Goes to Washington", U-Matic
Item 3. Convention, Organizing Session, VHS , 1996
Item 4. Convention, VHS , 1996
Item 5. Labor Party Founding Convention, VHS , 1996
Item 6. Michael Parenti Interview, Bernie Sanders Speech, Bertha Lujan Interview, VHS
Item 7. ABQC/Steeltech/Ace Co/ELBEE CESCO Convention, VHS , 1995
Item 8. Hugh Harley and Jim Kane Convention, VHS , 1995
Item 9. Convention, Bob Wages, VHS , 1995
Item 10. Convention, Rally Committee Meetings, VHS , 1995
Item 11. Convention, Red Block Independent Political Action, VHS , 1995
Item 12. Convention, QC Workshop, VHS , 1995
Item 13. Parenti Interview, Beacon, Ron Daniels Speech, Friction, VHS
Item 14. Ed Workshop/Erie, VHS , 1995
Item 15. District 11 Council Meeting, VHS , June 1996
Item 16. "Haiti Unchained", VHS
Item 17. Labor Party Founding Convention Raw Tape, VHS , 1996
Item 18. Labor Party Interview with Tony Mazocchi, VHS , 1996
Item 19. "Labor Party Spot", VHS
Item 20. Convention, Organizing Session 1 and 2, VHS , 1996
Item 21. Convention, Tuesday Morning International Affairs, VHS , 1996
Item 22. Convention, International Thursday Morning, VHS , 1996
Item 23. Convention, Monday Organizing Session 2, VHS , 1996
Item 24. "UE Goes to Press", VHS Item 25. Rallies and Demonstrations- Circuitwise at Woolsey Hall, VHS , 1989
Item 26. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Dub of Raw Footage", VHS
Item 27. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Erie Blitz Newscasts", VHS
Item 28. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Double R Charter Pittsburgh, PA", VHS , 1989
Item 29. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "TULIP Meeting", VHS
Item 30. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Ft. Wayne PWOC8902 Rally (Original)", VHS , 1990
Item 31. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Plastek on UE Effort", VHS , 1990
VHS Cassettes Containers box 16 Item 1. GE/Morristown "Recognition Song", VHS , 1988
Item 2. Local 168 Message to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendall, VHS , 1994
Item 3. Vote Count and Victory KGAN News Channel 2, VHS , 1996
Item 4. Vote Count and Victory KGAN/Workers Memorial Service, VHS , 1996
Item 5. Ohio Turnpike Public Sector Workers Interviews (Raw), VHS , 1995
Item 6. Convention, Thursday Morning Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 7. Convention, Wednesday Afternoon Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 8. Convention, Thursday Afternoon Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 9. Convention, Opening Video, VHS , 1990
Item 10. Convention, Organizing Report, VHS , 1990
Item 11. Convention, Tuesday Morning Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 12. Convention, General Video Tape 1, VHS , 1990
Item 13. Convention, Tuesday Afternoon Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 14. Convention, Wednesday Morning Speaker, VHS , 1990
Item 15. Convention, GE Tape 3, VHS , 1990
Item 16. Convention, Rally and Demonstration, VHS , 1990
Item 17. Convention, Jan Pierce, VP CWA, VHS , 1991
Item 18. Convention, Opening Monday, VHS , 1991
Item 19. Convention, Rally, VHS , 1991
Item 20. Convention, Opening: General President John Hovis, VHS , 1991
Item 21. Convention, Jan Pierce, VHS , 1991
Item 22. Convention, Organizing Session 1 and 2, VHS , 1991
Item 23. Convention, Eugene Carol/Ann Wilson, VHS , 1991
Item 24. Convention, Bernie Sanders, VHS , 1991
Item 25. Convention, Admiral Eugene Carol Jr., VHS , 1991
Item 26. Convention, Ann Wilson/Jobs with Peace, VHS , 1991
Item 27. Convention, Interviews Part 4, VHS , 1988
Item 28. Convention, Speech Part 1, VHS , 1988
Item 29. Convention, Camacho, VHS , 1988
Item 30. Convention, Pridgen/Camacho/Ramirez/Romero/Johnson, VHS , 1988
Item 31. Convention, Proceedings Part 2, VHS , 1988
Item 32. Convention, Chicago Convention Demonstration, VHS , 1989
Item 33-34. Convention, Organizing Session, VHS , 1989
Item 35-36. UE Conference Meeting in Beverly, MA, VHS , 1991
Item 37. UE Conference A Quality Circle/Seminar Discussion UE Local 274, VHS , 1990
Item 38. Steeltech Workers Rights and Public Accountability, VHS , 1995
Item 39. Labor Relations Board Incident in Memphis, TN, VHS , 1993
Item 40. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Chicago, VHS
Item 41. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Erie Tad Tempo Demo, VHS
Item 42. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - "Double-R Presentation (Main Audio)", VHS
Item 43. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Erie Blitz TV Spots, VHS , 1990
Item 44. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Miami Valley (Ohio) Charter, VHS
Item 45. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Interviews (Chicago or LA), VHS
Item 46. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Erie Newscasts, VHS , 1990
VHS Cassettes Containers box 19 Item 1-2. District 11 Council, 8mm MP , June 22, 1996
Item 3. Convention, Monday Morning Hightower Garvey Resolutions, VHS , 1997
Item 4. Convention, Monday Resolutions and Rally Photograph, VHS , 1997
Item 5. Convention, Organizing, VHS , 1997
Item 6. Convention, Organizing/International, VHS , 1997
Item 7. Convention, Tuesday Workshops, Racism, VHS , 1997
Item 8-11. Convention, Unlabeled Tapes, VHS , 1997
Item 12. Convention, Opening Workshop and Cutaways, VHS , 1997
Item 13. Convention, VHS , 1999
Item 14. Convention, Opening Photo, VHS , 1996
Item 15. Convention, Opening with Hovis and Hargrove, VHS , 2000
Item 16. Convention, Organizing Report, VHS , 2000
Item 17. Convention, Rally and Ralph Nader, VHS , 2000
Item 18. Convention, Organizing Report and Bourgeois, VHS , 2000
Item 19. Convention, Monday Morning Aggressive Struggle, 506 Stewards, and Cutaways, VHS , 2000
Item 20. Convention, Wednesday with Nader, Hill, and Roberts, VHS , 2000
Item 21. Convention, International, VHS , 2000
Item 22. Guastic and Labor Party Rallies, VHS , 1999
Item 23. GE Contract Rally, VHS , 1997
Item 24-26. Unfinished Business- Fight for Rights Under U.S. Labor Law, VHS
VHS Cassettes Containers box 17 Item 1. Plastic Workers Organizing Committee - Charter Interviews, Cutaways, and RR Recognition, VHS
Item 2. Convention, Local Interviews, VHS , 1994
Item 3. Convention, Cutaway, VHS , 1994
Item 4. Convention, Organizing Session, VHS , 1994
Item 5. Convention, Workshop Dealing With Sexist Bosses Parts 1 and 2, VHS , 1995
Item 6-8. Kerr Management Seminars Management Meeting Tapes 1-3, VHS , 1991
Item 9. Political Action, VHS , 1995
Item 10. Leadership Institute Bob Supansic, VHS , 1995
Item 11. National Archives Video, VHS
Item 12. Fairness at Friction, VHS , 1994
Item 13. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Intro and Ending, VHS , 1995
Item 14. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Worker to Company
Item 15. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Chicago and Introduction, VHS , 1994
Item 16. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Echlin Worker to Worker , 1994
Item 17. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Trip 1 Virginia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, VHS , 1994
Item 18. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Worker to Company 2, VHS , 1994
Item 19. Friction Workers Solidarity Tour - Worker to Worker, VHS , 1994
Item 20. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Cutaways, VHS
Item 21. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Coggeshall, VHS , 1992
Item 22. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Burkville GE Firing Story, VHS , 1992
Item 23. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Production Slides, VHS , 1992
Item 24. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Big Interview Tapes, VHS , 1992
Item 25. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Bert Greene/Corey Preston, VHS , 1992
Item 26. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Bobby Sprouse/Larry Stoops, VHS , 1992
Item 27. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Tape Ending 2, VHS , 1992
Item 28. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - "Which Side Are You On" Instrumental for Music, VHS , 1992
Item 29. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Frankfurt GE Sale Newscasts, VHS , 1992
Item 30. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Cutaways/Community Shots, VHS , 1992
Item 31. Parkersburg Woodmar Video -- Video Cutaways Woodmar News, VHS , 1992
Item 32. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Nigel Andrews Slides, VHS , 1992
Item 33. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - 25th Hour Anti-Union Video, VHS
Item 34. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Actual Meeting Parkersburg Workers, VHS , 1992
Item 35. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - UE Rank and File Express, VHS , 1992
Item 36. Parkersburg Woodmar Video - Dub Saturday Meeting Edit "Erie Express", VHS , 1992
Item 37. What Every Worker Should Know #2 Cogs Victory, Detroit Strike, and Mouseland, VHS
VHS and U-Matic Cassettes Containers box 18 Item 1. UE National Convention, U-Matic , 1957-1960 UE National Convention , 1958
Item 2. Non-UE Productions, U-Matic
Item 3. Miscellaneous Film, U-Matic
Item 4. Women, VHS , 1953-1962
Item 5. The Un-Americans , VHS
Item 6. Keeping Up with the Van Jones , VHS
Item 7. Free-Riding Rufus , VHS
Item 8. Dirty Business , VHS
Item 9. UE National Conventions, VHS , 1957-1960
Item 10. Mouseland , VHS
Item 11. Deadline for Action , VHS1946
Item 12. "Drawing on Worker Culture" by Norman Wright, First Edit Rough Draft, VHS , 1994
Item 13. Sister UE Goes to Washington , VHS
Item 14-15. Non-UE Productions, VHS
Item 16-17. Arthur Gaeth Reports, VHS , 1949
Item 18. Fred Wright, VHS
Item 19. Miscellaneous Film, VHS
Item 20. UE Freudenberg, VHS , 2002
Item 21. 63rd National Convention, Thursday, VHS , 1998
Item 22-24. 63rd National Convention, Wednesday, VHS , 1998
Item 25. 63rd National Convention, Tuesday Morning Sessions and Workshop Cutaways, VHS , 1998
Item 26-27. 63rd National Convention, Monday Afternoon Organizing Report , VHS , 1998
Item 28-29. 63rd National Convention, Monday Morning, VHS , 1998
Item 30. 63rd National Convention, Sunday Morning Cutaways and Committee Meetings, VHS , 1998
UE Film Reels Containers box 18 , reel 1-121 Free-Riding Rufus Containers box 18 , reel 10 Keeping Up with the Van Jones Containers box 18 , reel 14 Time to Come Back , 1960 Containers box 18 , reel 54 Chug Chug Containers box 18 , reel 89 Shorter Work Week: One Answer to Automation , 1957 Containers box 18 , reel 90 The Myth, the Money, and the Many , 1959 Containers box 18 , reel 94 The Use of Stenofax Cartoons Containers box 18 , reel 121 William Sentner Story
Leading the Fight: A History of Action Scope and Content Notes A history of the United Radio and Machine Workers of America.
Westinghouse U-Matic Cassettes and Film Reels Series 8.2.5. Slides Scope and Contents note The slide shows present in this series cover a variety of topics. Included are informational slides regarding the UE, labor issues, and government initiatives such as President Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" program. Also present are photographic slides depicting UE National Conventions and District 11 meetings. These slides were used during presentations by members of the UE.
UE Slide Shows 