This collection is organized into ten subgroups. The Perry Melton subgroup consists of biographical materials; family and general correspondence (1944-1984); speeches; and subject files (1939-1987) including files on his campaigns for head of the Montana State Federation of Labor-AFL-CIO, his work as a Flathead Valley Community College trustee, his service on the Montana Committee for the Humanities, and his membership in the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association. The Central Trades and Labor Council of Kalispell and Flathead County subgroup includes general correspondence (1937-1981) primarily with the national and state AFL-CIO and with affiliated local unions; financial records (1938-1975); minutes (1939, 1946-1967); organizational materials (1937-1979); subject files (1938-1977) concerning the work of the Council in coordinating union activities in Kalispell; and miscellany, including a file of Group Research, Inc. reports on right-wing groups. The Flathead Metal Trades Council subgroup (1954-1959) includes general correspondence, financial records, minutes, and organizational materials. The Northwest Montana Building and Construction Trades Council subgroup (1953-1975) includes general correspondence, financial records, legal documents, minutes, organizational materials, and subject files concerning the Council's work coordinating construction industry labor activities in northwestern Montana. The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paper Hangers, Local 975 subgroup consists of general correspondence (1939-1973); financial records (1935-1974) including dues remittances from employers, and individual members' dues ledgers; legal documents (1946, 1954-1972); minutes (1935-1969, 1974); organizational materials (1953-1974); subject files (1939-1974) concerning contract negotiations with employers, public service work, and organizing campaigns. The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paper Hangers (Montana State Conference of Painters and Allied Crafts/Montana District 59) subgroup (1958-1978) includes general correspondence, financial records, organizational materials, and printed material. The Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union, Locals 312 and 603 subgroup (1940-1982) includes general correspondence, financial records, legal documents, minutes, organizational materials, printed materials, and subject files. The Treasure State Labor Journal subgroup (1940-1955) includes general correspondence, financial records, and a subject file on the sale of the Journal The Montana State Federation of Labor / Montana State AFL-CIO subgroup (1947-1982) consists primarily of circular letters and copies of audits, minutes, etc. provided to local unions. There is also a file on the merger of the Montana State Federation of Labor and the Montana Industrial Union Council in 1956 to form the Montana State AFL-CIO. The United Textile Workers of America subgroup (1951-1955) consists of Perry Melton's correspondence files, weekly work reports, and miscellany as an organizer and radio commentator for the union in North Carolina.