Primarily records related to Olson's tenure as President of BATU, Local 21, including office files, subject files, clippings, union newspapers, minutes, correspondence and files related to strikes, grievance and arbitration cases, pensions, health and welfare, and the mergers with the Newspaper Guild and CWA. Also includes material documenting the union's participation in politics and progressive political causes, trips to other countries, and healthcare reform for seniors.

Sound recording of interview with Leon Olson conducted by Adah Bakalinsky. Describes the anti-Hearst newspaper strike of 1968; San Rafael Independent Journal strike, ca. 1970s; the shrinking number of newspapers, 1970s-1980s; and the impact of new technologies on the Typographers Union.