The fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, subject files and printed materials related to the NDP Executive Committee, the Labour Policy Committee, Vancouver civic politics, labour education, Canadian Labour Congress, International Woodworkers of America and Brown's work at the Eburne Sawmill.

The fonds consists of correspondence and subject files pertaining to various locals of the International Association of Machinists. Also included is material from the B.C. Federation of Labour, Canadian Congress of Labour (1970-1984), Ontario Federation of Labour (1972- 1977), the provincial and federal CCF and NDP, as well as other material pertaining to labour and politics. There are also tapes of radio broadcasts and material relating to Thayer's personal interests.

The fonds consists primarily of records arising from a Boag Foundation-sponsored conference in 1983 based on the theme "Meeting the Challenge of the Eighties and Beyond." Many of the participants were prominent members of the New Democratic Party. Other materials in the fonds include correspondence of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee of the Provincial NDP (1977), political educational material from the Canadian Labour Congress, notes and press clippings.