TOPIC INDEX:
Borrowing Policy:
The films and audio-visual materials listed in this catalog are available for educational,
non-commercial use by any interested group in the State of Hawai'i, without charge to public
educational institutions or non-profit organizations. All of the titles listed are the property of the
Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR), University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu.
This catalog is being circulated in order to increase the general use of these films and materials to
improve the general understanding of labor-related programs and problems.
Use of the materials listed in the catalog is subject to the following conditions and
procedures:
1. Write or phone the Center for Labor Education and Research at 96-043 Ala 'Ike, Pearl City,
Hawai'i 96782; telephone 454-4774, FAX 454-4776.
Identify the film or AV material you desire by the title as listed in the catalog.
2. Make the request at least two weeks before the date your organization wishes to use the
material, and indicate the date the film will be used and the date you intend to pick it up.
3. Pick up the materials to be used on O'ahu no earlier than two days, nor later than one day
before they are to be used.
If the materials are for use on neighbor islands, they will be mailed and a charge will be assessed
to cover postage and insurance.
4. O'ahu users must return the materials within two days after use; neighbor island users should
return the materials to insure the receipt by the Center within five days after its scheduled
use.
5. All films, filmstrips and tapes must be rewound onto their original reels and in their original
canisters. The user organization will be responsible for all borrowed materials and agrees to
reimburse the University of Hawai'i for repairs or replacement of any damaged or lost
materials.
No admission charge to any meeting at which the film is shown is permissible.
VIDEO TAPES
All video tapes described below are in half inch, VHS format. Borrowers must take care that the
tapes are stored upright and in cool areas and played on machines that have been properly
maintained and cleaned to prevent damage and distortion.
SAFETY & HEALTH
DEATH ON THE JOB (1991, 60 min)
A poignant look at the wrecked lives of workers and their families in the aftermath of senseless,
preventable industrial injuries. Three major sections feature, commercial fishing fleets,
construction workers and oil & chemical workers. Academy Award Nomination 1991, Best
Documentary Feature. Produced and directed by Vince DiPersio and William Guttentag.
DISABILITY NIGHTMARE: THE ASSAULT ON THE RIGHTS OF INJURED WORKERS(1996, 21:30 min.)
Highly controversial from its inception to the present, the issue of Workmen’s Compensation has been the topic of many debates. For employees, the possibility of becoming injured not only threatens their job, but also their families and futures as well. However, there are private insurance firms, lawmakers, and employers who simply refuse to accept the responsibility of worker injuries and continue to persuade legislators to misplace the blame and even reduce needed protection. This video examines the harsh reality of those who must and have dealt with the unfortunate circumstances of workplace injury, covering the origins, purpose, and effectiveness of the 1908 Workers’ Compensation System. It follows the efforts of corporations to avoid and deny such rights, and the legal adversities and problems that have continued to be raised. The program studies the growing phenomenon of cumulative stress injury, and offers personal scenarios of employees who have been rendered physically disabled while working on the job, had sustained emotionally damaging experiences, and their loyalty to their companies questioned. Produced by the Labor Video Project.
DON`T BLOW IT (1986, 18 min, V-09)
Precautionary measures to prevent asbestos disease among auto mechanics.
THE FINEST TOOLS (198_, 22 min, V-12)
A NIOSH video describing the various work hazards that affect our wrists and hands. Repetitive
strain or cumulative stress disorders create the occupational injury known as carpal tunnel
syndrome. This video explains the factors that cause this syndrome and the common medical
symptoms and disabilities that victims of the syndrome suffer. The video is designed to alert
employers and plant managers to the problem and encourages employers to analyze
(ergonomically) their workers` movements to recognize and correct hand/wrist problems before
they result in injuries.
IT`S YOUR RIGHT TO BE SAFE (1989, 18 min, V-25)
Produced by the UCLA Occupational Safety and Health Program (LOSH), this video reviews the
legal rights of workers who may be exposed to toxic chemicals on the job. It covers the right to
know, the right to training, the right to medical exams and the right to refuse work. Members of
West Coast laborers and IBEW locals share their experiences and reveal the role of the union in
making the law work.
NO GRAPES (1992, color, 13:34 min.)
In small farming communities across California, children are dying. Birth defects—open spines and missing limbs—are common. And childhood cancer is 1200 percent above the national average. The cause: the 8 million pounds of unnecessary toxic pesticides used on table grapes each year – pesticides that corporate growers refuse to stop using despite the rising loss of human life. The government has turned its back to the tragedy, preferring to side with politically-influential grape growers. The FDA is helpless. The EPA makes excuses. The children continue to suffer and die – human guinea pigs for toxins clearly poisoning our environment and our food supply. But we as consumers can fight back against these oil-based poisons (that don’t wash off). Cesar Chavez and a host of celebrities, farmworkers, and parents show us how in this must-see video. A production of the Volunteer Staff of the United Farm Workers. Narrated by Mike Farrell, featuring Lou Diamond Phillips, Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Edward James Olmos, and Chrales Haid. Produced by Deborah Ellman, Lorena Parlee, and Lenny Bourin.
GRIEVANCE HANDLING
THE CASE OF THE GRIEVING WAITRESS (1987, 15 min, V-04)
Produced by the Center for Labor Research and Education at UC Berkeley, this tape is specially
designed for use in union shop steward training. This video shows the steward in an actual
grievance situation. A foodserver has been suspended for five days for refusing to work an extra
shift assigned without notice. The steward`s handling of the step-one meeting is shown. In the
end a compromise remedy is reached. The video, therefore, provides the basis for class
discussion and analysis of the steward`s handling of the step-one hearing and of the merits of the
remedy she accepted.
DO`S AND DONT`S OF GRIEVANCE HANDLING (1994, 18 min)
A set of three vignettes illustrating the wrong ways and the right ways stewards take up
grievances with their immediate supervisors.
THE DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION (1987, 20 min, V-10)
Produced by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to
teach union stewards and grievance handlers the basic principles of the Duty of Fair
Representation as mandated by federal law. It describes the origins of the duty; goes through a
Grievance Checklist; and answers common steward questions regarding the liability the duty
places on unions and union stewards.
GRIEVANCE HANDLING (1983, 59 min, V-18)
Produced by the U.S. Department of Labor. In the first portion of this excellent presentation, the
narrator describes the basic responsibilities of union representatives in grievance processing as
well as the basic four steps of most grievance procedures. An incident involving a recently
elected steward is used to show how to process a grievance from the initial employee complaint
through the second step of a typical, negotiated grievance procedure. The second portion of the
film presents both appropriate and inappropriate approaches to grievance handling as the second
step hearing between the steward and the supervisor is dramatized. The on-camera narrator links
and explains the unfolding events for orientation and training purposes from the union point of
view. [Also available in 16mm film]
GRIEVANCE MEDIATION IN ACTION – Search for Common Ground (46:45 min.)
When the arguments involving an electric company and one of its employees reaches a hopeless standstill, the thought of an agreement seems nearly impossible, until a mediator is mercifully brought in to provide some encouragement towards a resolution. Despite the bleakness and the initial refusal on both sides to understand, the experienced neutral offers a refreshing perspective not blurred by raging emotions or hindered by stubbornness; the result: productive talks, arbitration avoidance, and acceptable terms that leave employer and employee feeling compromised, but happy. Witness as the mediator manages to orchestrate some concord between two bitter parties, turning the seemingly dead-end meeting into grounds for a solution. His techniques are professional and calculated: he addresses problematic areas, offers educated opinions, clarifies matters, and all the while reminding the two sides to focus on the goal and to keep an open perspective. With a man’s livelihood at stake, a company’s adamant position, and a crowded audience, the entertaining discussions provide an exemplary platform for the mediator that showcases the importance of his thorough, deliberate and levelheaded role, while seeking a mutual understanding. Presented by the Mediation Research & Education Project, Inc.
SCENES FROM THE WORKPLACE (1975, 22 min, V-47)
Work situations which commonly trigger the filing of grievances are depicted in eight vignettes,
each 1-1/2 minutes long. The video provides an excellent setting for a discussion on factors
which strengthen or weaken the position of the employer and the grievant. [also available in
16mm film]
TURN IT AROUND: TEAMSTER STEWARDS SOLVING PROBLEMS ON THE
JOB (1994, 17min.)
A grievance handling training video with four discussion breaks worked into the vignette to
allow participants to consider the pros and cons of different problem-solving strategies. Using a
distribution center as a sample work site, the steward uses a group-grievance over unfair
assignment of the checker job to organize the workers and put an end to much-resented
favoritism.
POLITICAL ACTION
AFL-CIO VOTER ACTION TAPES (1986, 5 episodes, V-55a, b, c, d,
e)
Produced by the AFL-CIO, LIPA for the Committee on Political Education (COPE): Tape 1 -
Why You? Why Me? (13.5 min) looks at the basic labor issues and explains why
union membership participation is important to get endorsed candidates elected, and what kind of
things members can do; Tape 2 - Making It Official (12 min) describes voter
registration campaigns; Tape 3 - Opening a Telephone Bank (10.5 min) and Tape 4
- Calling All Union Voters (11 min) describes how to organize union phone banks;
and Tape 5 - Get Out the Vote (8 min) tells how to organize an election day
campaign to get union members to the polls.
AL GORE SPEAKS TO THE AFL-CIO CONVENTION, LOS ANGELES, 1999 (1999, 10:30 min.)
In this short video, Al Gore gives a speech during his 2000 presidential campaign. He first addresses several union members whose lives had an impact and influence on his and goes on to elaborate on each of their inspirational experiences. Mr. Gore continues by assuring the packed audience of union members and supporters of his intentions to continue to push for their rights and happiness, while briefly stating his plans on topics such as minimum wage increase, the reformation of manufacturing industries, and the necessity to undertake the challenge for a positive labor movement. In addition to his ideal goals, the former vice president rallies the crowd, ending his speech with motivational phrases like, "What is right? Stay and fight!" and "Early to bed and early to rise, work like hell and organize."
GRASS ROOTS LOBBYING (1985, 8:25 min, V-17)
Produced by the Kamber Group for the Building and Construction Trades Department of the
AFL-CIO, this program is designed to show union members the importance of their involvement
in grass roots lobbying. From card and letter writing to phone calls and personal appointments,
the actual contact of union members is an important supplement to the union`s national lobbying
efforts. The video also emphasizes the importance of timing and coalition building in effective
grass roots campaigns and show how they can and do change legislator`s opinions and voting on
crucial labor issues.
KGMB 9 NEWS SPECIAL PRESENTATION--Jade Moon Interview with Governor Ben Cayetano: “What Next? The Ousting of Attorney General Margery Bronster & Budget Director Earl Anzai” (May 1999, 28 min.)
After the abrupt rejection of confirmations that led Attorney General Margery Bronster and Budget Director Earl Anzai out of their esteemed positions, many people of Hawaii were left stunned, asking ‘why?’ Join in as Jade Moon exclusively discusses with Governor Ben Cayetano the controversial ordeal, from the inklings of its beginnings to the pieces remaining in its wake. During the interview, the governor acknowledges the undeniable presence and influential power of unions, claiming that he was unaware of HGEA’s efforts against the now former Attorney General. But while he references union strength as a factor, he personally admits that the sudden events revealed more about the often shady underworld of political partnerships and relations than it reflected both Bronster and Anzai’s abilities and effectiveness to perform their duties. Jade Moon goes on to raise a number of topics, varying from issues that focus on his thoughts on his “abrasive” attitude, his ideas of change, the impressions on his “legacy,” and the bold actions of the new senators. Presented by Lee Enterprises, Inc. KGMB news.
MAKING LEGISLATORS ACCOUNTABLE (1984, 27 min, V-32)
Produced by the AFL-CIO LIPA studies, this video describes grassroots lobbying of local state
legislators when they return to their home districts. The video shows how the lobbying process
works and emphasizes its success in improving the voting records of representatives who
regularly hear from their labor constituents.
MOUSELAND (1980, 6 min.)
Written and Narrated by T. C. Douglas, this is a humorous, political fable produced by the
Canadian Labor Congress. Using a series of colorful still frames by way of illustration, the story
is told of a land whose citizens were all mice but who continuously elected fat cats as their
political representatives despite their cruel tradition of enacting laws that did no good whatsoever
for mice while making conditions better and better for the cats.
ONE-ON-ONE CANVASSING PROGRAM (1986, 26 min, V-42)
Produced by the AFL-CIO LIPA studios, this imaginative video is designed to help union
members understand the basic principles of the One-on-One canvassing program which is now
being used by many unions to reach members on many different issues. Patterned after the
What`s My Line TV program, this video emphasizes the three keys to successful
canvassing: always be confident, controlled and considerate. Using humor and a lively
demonstration of the message, the program can be used at all levels of the labor movement in
training on the use of the One-on-One program.
WOMEN'S MOVEMENT
CLUW: THE FIRST DECADE (1985, 18:30 min, V-07)
A review of the Coalition of Labor Union Women leading up to and including its 10th
anniversary convention. This program includes the enthusiastic founding of CLUW in Chicago
in 1975 and interviews with the founding mothers. Also included are information segments from
America Works shows on Child care and Pay Equity. Produced by AFL-CIO`s Labor Institute
for Public Affairs.
CLUW: THE POWER OF SISTERHOOD (1994, 15 min)
Produced by the Labor Institute of Public Affairs, AFL-CIO for the commemoration of
the 20th Anniversary Celebration.
FAST FOOD WOMEN (1991, 29 min.)
The world of fast food has grown into a prominently thriving industry, but aside from profits and sales, what underlies business success? What costs must the actual workforce pay to fuel such demands, and have the companies driving the scene turned their women employees into mindless robots? This videotape by Anne Lewis Johnson examines several restaurant chains and the workingwomen responsible for providing the labor needed to sustain the industry. Deprived of benefits and respectable wages, the documented women hide their burden with a desperate smile and casual laugh, while still expressing gratefulness for an opportunity to work. They face degrading repetitiveness that batters their spirits, and as they endure becoming just another number and dispensable commodity, company management strategically masks the mundane ‘identity-less’ conditions by programming and packaging employee behavior with a smile and a “Hi, how may I help you?” demeanor to generate customer satisfaction and the most sales. Produced by Dee Davis with Patsy Adams, Caron Atlas, Robert Gipe, Herb E. Smith, and Carolyn Sturgill. A Headwaters presentation and copyrighted by Appalshop Inc. 1991.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ROSIE THE RIVETER (1980, 60 min.)
As men went off to war in 1941 and 1942, women were recruited for industrial jobs which had
previously been closed to them. They were offered training and assured they could do
men's work and it was their patriotic duty to help the war effort. In this
documentary five women talk about their experiences in the factories that built tanks, ships and
bombers, and what happened to them after the war was over and the men cam back to claim these
jobs.
PICTURE BRIDE (1995, Miramax Films 95 min)
A feature length film starring Youki Kudoh and Tamlyn Tomita that tells the story of Riyo, a
young woman from Japan who ventures to Hawai'i as a "picture bride" in 1918. She is shocked
to find a husband much older than she'd been told about and and forced to take up gruelling work
in the sugar canefields.
PICTURE BRIDES - Rice & Roses (1986, 30 min, V-44)
The story of the way Japanese and Korean plantation workers in Hawai`i arranged marriages
with women back in their homelands whom they have never met, featuring the research of the
University of Hawai`i's Alice Chai and Barbara Kawakami.
WORKING CLASS WOMEN IN 20th CENTURY HAWAI`I (1995, 14
min)
Produced by the Hawai`i Committee for the Humanities. For more information on the
project that funded this video, click on Women and Work in Hawai'i: Into
the Marketplace
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