Unity House, 1932

The majority of the collection focuses on records from the ILGWU erected and managed FM radio stations around the countrythe Unity Broadcasting Corporation, of which Morris Novik worked as a consultant. Contained in the records are general correspondence, newspaper clippings and articles about union owned radio stations, and information from various markets and stations in different states. There is also much material on the shows and talent, transcripts from broadcasts, programming schedules, and clippings and publicity for the stations owned by the ILGWU and the shows aired and produced. Specific programming events such as the 1953 television broadcast of the film "With These Hands," the 1958 dressmakers' general strike, and the gala celebration and concert at Madison Square Garden honoring twenty five years of David Dubinsky's presidency include correspondence, publicity and marketing material, and information on the broadcasts in which the union utilized their radio stations for these events.



The bulk of the materials center on the use of the media for political purposes. Included is information from networks and the government, laws and regulations, and procedures regarding the issues of broadcasting political programs, including paid political programs. The ILGWU was very active in sponsoring and promoting political campaigns and began to employ the media by buying air time to endorse candidates. There is correspondence, programming and transcripts for broadcasts for the Truman, Kennedy, Johnson and Humphrey political campaign committees. Other various items pertaining to political broadcasts contain complete transcripts for programs that included celebrities and actors such as Tallulah Bankhead, Janet Leigh, and Henry Fonda, as well as the correspondence and invitations for the individuals from Hollywood and Broadway to appear on the ILGWU sponsored programs in conjunction with the politicians.



Another component of the collection includes documents on the ILGWU's Unity House, as Novik was the director of the resort. Featured are programs with menus for weekend and holiday events and themed dinner parties, pamphlets and brochures, information on theater and plays performed at Unity House, and a collection of clippings from the Jewish Daily Forward advertising Unity House and activities, mainly in Yiddish. Also contained is printed material from conventions including programs, proposed amendments, and resolutions.



Oversize posters include: The ILGWU 1968 Campaign Committee Humphrey Election poster, WFDR FM poster advertising shows for Marquis Childs and Joseph C. Harsch, "With These Hands" poster advertising the television broadcast, and the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Election on Coast-to-Coast Radio posters advertising ILGWU political programs with speakers including Adlai Stevenson, George Meany, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, John Kennedy, Huber Humphrey, Harry Truman and the stars of Hollywood and Broadway.



A complimentary collection of the papers of Morris S. Novik can also be found at the George Meany Archives.