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Debra Bergen Koster Papers

 Collection
Identifier: WAG.369

Scope and Contents

The Debra Bergen Koster Papers (dated 1977-2013) consists of materials created and collected by Koster documenting her activities as a labor organizer and labor educator, with particular emphasis on fair contract negotiations and support for women workers on issues such as pay equity, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Materials documenting Koster's activities as a labor educator include course materials and notebooks, many of which are from Cornell University's Trade Union Studies Program or her involvement with 9to5, National Association of Working Women. This collection also includes materials documenting union leadership campaigns and elections through ephemera, petitions, and correspondence. Materials documenting her organizing activities and contract administration with Local 1199, National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers include correspondence, background subject files, and a signed summary of tentative agreement.

Dates

  • Creation: 1977-2017

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Biographical Note

Debra Bergen Koster (known as Debra Bergen) is a retired labor organizer and labor educator. She entered the labor movement as an organizer in the 1980s with SEIU District Council 925 and NYC Women Office Workers, a local of 9to5, National Association of Working Women. From 1983 to 1986 she then organized and represented home care and hospital workers with Local 1199, National Union of Health Care and Hospital Employees (SEIU 1199). Beginning in 1987 she held the position of Contract Administrator at the Doctors Council, SEIU. Koster later served as the Director of Contract Administration for the PSC/CUNY, Local 2334, NYSUT, AFT from 1991-2018. For 20 years she was an Adjunct Instructor in the Cornell NYS ILR Trade Union Certificate for Women and Labor Studies programs and co-coordinated and taught at the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) Union Summer Schools for Working Women. She retired in 2017.

Extent

2.25 linear feet (in 4 manuscript boxes and 1 half manuscript box)

Abstract

Debra Bergen Koster (known as Debra Bergen) is a retired labor organizer and labor educator. She entered the labor movement as an organizer in the 1980s with SEIU District Council 925 and NYC Women Office Workers, a local of 9to5, National Association of Working Women. From 1983 to 1986 she then organized and represented home care and hospital workers with Local 1199, National Union of Health Care and Hospital Employees (SEIU 1199). Beginning in 1987 she held the position of Contract Administrator at the Doctors Council, SEIU. Koster later served as the Director of Contract Administration for the PSC/CUNY, Local 2334, NYSUT, AFT from 1991-2018. For 20 years she was an Adjunct Instructor in the Cornell NYS ILR Trade Union Certificate for Women and Labor Studies programs and co-coordinated and taught at the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) Union Summer Schools for Working Women. The Debra Bergen Koster Papers (dated 1977-2013) consists of materials created and collected by Koster documenting her activities as a labor organizer and labor educator, with particular emphasis on fair contract negotiations and support for women workers on issues such as pay equity, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Materials documenting Koster's activities as a labor educator include course materials and notebooks, many of which are from Cornell University's Trade Union Studies Program. This collection also includes materials documenting union leadership campaigns and elections through ephemera, petitions, and correspondence. Materials documenting her organizing activities and contract administration with Local 1199, National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers include correspondence, background subject files, and a signed summary of tentative agreement.

Arrangement

This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.

Physical Location

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Debra Bergen Koster in March 2022; the accession number associated with this gift is 2022.022.

Appraisal

One optical disc with image files to be used for a website has been appraised out of the collection.

Processing Information

At the time of accessioning, materials were rehoused in archival boxes and folders, maintaining the donor's original order. Materials are described on the collection-level with a folder-level inventory. One optical disc was identified, physically separated, forensically imaged, analyzed, and described. New York University Libraries follow professional standards and best practices when imaging, ingesting, and processing born-digital material in order to maintain the integrity of the content.

Title
Guide to the Debra Bergen Koster Papers WAG.369
Author
Collection processed by Rachel Searcy
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Chicago Repository

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