Welfare rights movement

State Workers Organizing Committee Records

drice — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:10:18 -0500

The State Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) was a semi-caucus and political movement that worked within several unions, including the Welfare Employees Union (WUE), the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Michigan State Employees Association (MSEA), and the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. SWOC was born from within the WEU and served as an activist organization that played a key role in establishing local union chapters, including the UAW Local 6000 and the AFSCME 1880. Additionally, SWOC took part in rallies, job actions, and legal endeavors on issues related to worker concessions, bargaining rights, layoffs, reassignments, grievances, and welfare rights.

The State Workers Organizing Committee Records contains material related to SWOC and affiliated labor groups, such as the Welfare Employees Union and the Michigan State Employees Association. Material included in the collection consists mostly of paper records documenting the efforts of SWOC and the MSEA to establish local union chapters and to agitate for workers rights, including meeting and convention information, legal proceedings, promotional materials, and correspondence with various labor groups and government agencies.

Welfare Employees Union Records

drice — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:26 -0500

Subjects include: Michigan Civil Service Commission employees; welfare rights; welfare reform; Detroit, Wayne Co. and Michigan welfare agencies

Westside Mothers Records

drice — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:36:13 -0400

Westside Mothers is a welfare rights organization located in Detroit, Michigan. It was founded by its coordinator, Selma Goode, in December 1965, and advocates for people who receive public assistance, such as food stamps, Medicaid, childcare, Supplemental Security Income, and disability. Westside Mothers works with various local, state, and national welfare rights organizations to aid welfare recipients in receiving sufficient benefits and in protecting their civil liberties. The organization holds meetings, organizes rallies, contacts legislators, and provides legal defense at court hearings in its efforts to protect the rights of welfare recipients in Detroit and Michigan.

The Westside Mothers Records collection contains material related to the Westside Mothers and affiliated welfare rights organizations, such as the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO) and the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO). Material included in the collection consists mostly of paper records documenting the administrative functions of the Westside Mothers, MWRO, and NWRO, including meetings, rallies, conferences, special committees, and legal efforts. Also included are correspondence between Selma Goode and various welfare rights organizations, religious and community organizations, and government agencies. The collection also contains some photographic prints and ephemera.