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IBT Political and Legislative Action Department

 Collection
Identifier: IBT0077

Scope and Contents

Series 1 consists of documentation regarding the writing of "A Bench in the Park", a Teamsters sponsored 30 minute film on the potential effects of the Landrum Griffin Act (1959) on union activities. The documentation includes correspondence between Sid Zagri, director of the IBT Legislative and Political Affairs Department and the project's various players including the screenwriter, producer and director and IBT officers, namely James R. Hoffa, Harold Gibbons and John English.

Series 2 contains miscellaneous files from the Department, including files that were not published by the Department but were used by ther Department.

Dates

  • 1960-1961

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some materials may be copyrighted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collection.

Biographical / Historical

According to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters website, "The Department of Political and Legislative Action mobilizes Teamster members and affiliates around campaigns for national contracts, federal and state legislative campaigns, and federal, state and local political campaigns. The department accomplishes this by energizing Teamster members to take direct action, as well as helping Teamster affiliates build their own member mobilization infrastructure. Field Representatives live and work in all regions of the United States, raising DRIVE money, electing Teamster candidates, educating Teamster members and building our political program."

"A Bench in the Park" was a 30-minute film sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act. It is a dramatization of the potential effects of the law on union activities. It also cover the turning points in American labor history. It was produced in 1960. The screenplay was written by Doris Gilbert. It was produced by Martine Lancer and directed by Anton Leader. It's purpose was to be shown at union halls and on television.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (Correspondence and scripts re "A Bench in the Park", a film about the Landrum-Griffin Act sponsored by the IBT)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Series 1 of this collection houses the scripts, correspondence, and production files relating to the IBT sponsored film A Bench in the Park. Legislative and Political Action Dept. head Sid Zagri headed up this project on the Teamsters side.

Series 2 of this collection houses miscellaneous materials from the IBT Political and Legislative Action Department as well as the legislative and Political Education Department.

Arrangement

Collection: Political and Legislative Action Department Records Organized into two series: Sid Zagri Files- A Bench in the Park Files and Political and Legislative Action Department Files.



Series: Arranged document type (correspondence, scripts)

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site and may require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This material was transferred from the IBT.

  • Labor Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Labor unions Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Title
IBT Political and Legislative Action Department, 1960-1961
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America