Comprises materials related to the formation of the Labor Studies Center at San Francisco State University and to Cherny's work as an advisory committee member on the California Labor History Map Advisory Committee. Also includes correspondence, application forms, and budget materials related to a 1978-1979 "Labor on Campus" grant, and conference materials from the Southwest Labor Studies annual conferences, 1977-1985. Publications include two issues of Southwest Economy and Society as well as multiple issues of Southwest Labor Studies newsletters from 1987-1988.

Documents related to the founding of the Labor Studies Center at San Francisco State University include proposals, correspondence, and descriptions of courses related to a new academic program leading to a BA degree with a major in Labor Studies.