READY FOR PBS—WINNERS

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Carl Megel Award—American Federation of Teachers Building the House They Lived In is a story from the 1950s, a highpoint in California labor history. The title of the film alludes to the folk song "The House I Live In" made famous by Paul Robeson. The song celebrates the diversity of the United States and the collective strength of its common people no matter their skin color, origin or what they do for a living. Produced by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), this film depicts organized labor facing down Cold War attacks like the anti-labor Taft-Hartley Act. Joining community and religious groups, California's labor unions defeat a right to work referendum and lead a successful voter initiative to enact statewide fair employment practices.

Produced by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), this film depicts organized labor facing down Cold War attacks like the anti-labor Taft-Hartley Act. Joining community and religious groups, California's labor unions defeat a right to work referendum and lead a successful voter initiative to enact statewide fair employment practices.

According to director Fred Glass, "The only reliable source of funds over the eight years it took to make the series was from unions. Most unions however do not have the deep pockets necessary for serious documentary video work. Building the House was a pay as you go project with more than 400 unions, in several rounds of fundraising."

As a consequence Glass could not submit the film (and series of which it is a part) to PBS for national distribution. Diane Nelson, former program director at KCSM-TV San Mateo, California explained to Glass that, "… your film does not meet their funding (PBS) guidelines. It's funded by organized labor." Nelson did show Building the House on KCSM-TV. She advised, "Generally, KCSM did not allow for funding of films by interested parties, either, but I felt this documentary was excellent, compelling and balanced.

Given the dearth of programs about labor, and in the face of the preponderance of public television programs by and about business,
I felt it added a sorely lacking element to our programming."

Glass reflects, "PBS has been forced to rely increasingly on corporate sponsorship and support in Congress from across the political spectrum. The more PBS is perceived as promoting programming of the left, such as labor history, the less certain it is to receive the support of the right."