The files of Ms. Shaffer's collection have been divided into six series. The series dealing with AFSCME Local 1650 and 3215, CUCE, and Council 10 contain materials gathered in capacity as a member and officer of these organizations. The materials pertaining to SEIU Local 250 were collected in order to write a book dealing with the circumstances that led to Local 250 being placed in receivership. The first series in the collection is materials originating from Local 1650. Within this group of files there is a large sub-series of the grievances Ms. Shaffer dealt with in her capacity as president of Local 1650. Health and safety issues at UCSF are covered in another sub-series. AFSCME newspapers and Local 1650 shop letters are contained in issues of women's safety and rape are contained in a sub-series referred to as publicity files. The sub-series on UCSF contains materials gathered while organizing. There is also a small sub-series on Local 1650s involvement with the AFSCME International Convention. The series dealing with the Local 3215 contains materials relating to Ms. Shaffer's legal action against Yolanda Cortez, President of AFSCME 3215 and Rubin Gomez, Treasurer of AFSCME 3215. When Barbara Donaldson resigned as president of Local 3215 Yolanda Cortez was elected to replace her. Ms. Shaffer, and others, protested the election citing irregularities in the election process. Ms. Shaffer sued Yolanda Cortez and Rubin Gomez for accusations they published in Local 3215s shop letter Union Eyes. Ms. Cortez and Mr. Gomez stated in the article that Ms. Shaffer refused to return documents in her possession that belonged to the local. Ms. Shaffer won her lawsuit and was awarded $500. The constitution for Local 3215 is included in this series. Two other sub-series are the Policy Board and Bargaining Committee of AFSCME 3215. The Bargaining Committee was involed in the contract negotiations proposed agreements, and final agreements between AFSCME and UC are also in this series. This series includes a sub-series on grievances. In addition, there is a Local 3215 convention series. The book of the proceedings of AFSCME's 26th International Convention held in San Francisco in 1984 is also included. The series Research Materials/SEIU 250 contains all the materials Ms. Shaffer collected to write her book. A rough draft of a paper on the history of Local 250 is included in this series. The Annual Reports of SEIU from 1959-1975 are also here. The Labor Archives does not have copyright for the manuscripts. The series CUCE contains CUCE's consitution and convention materials. The series Council 10 contains the constitution for Council 10. Also included are materials on the founding convention and the bargaining unit. The series on other locals contains miscellaneous materials. The personnel files of Ellen Shaffer and Joe Brenner are restricted in accordance with privacy laws.

Records and personal papers related to Shaffer's service as president of AFSCME Locals 1650 and 3215 at the University of California, San Francisco. This material includes documentation related to organizing the locals, health and safety issues, copies of the locals' newspapers, shop letters, and material on women's safety and rape. Also included is material on Shaffer's involvement in Council of University of California Employees and research files on SEIU Local 250's receivership.