The Quad City Federation of Labor serves Scott, Muscatine and Louisa Counties in Iowa and Rock Island, Henry and Mercer Counties in Illinois. Currently there are 70 local unions and 3 union organizations representing over 33,000 workers affiliated with the Quad City Federation of Labor. Just as workers join together to form unions because there is strength in numbers and collective action, unions also join together in Central Labor Councils, like the Quad City Federation of Labor. There are 600 Central Labor Councils throughout the United States, each with a specific jurisdiction.

The Quad City Federation of Labor is Democratically run and takes its direction from the delegates.

ACTIVITIES

The purpose of the Quad City Federation of Labor is to build solidarity among unions in The Quad City area. This solidarity takes the
form of getting the word out and turning out union activists from other unions for pickets, rallies and the like when such help is requested by local unions when they are in need of assistance with collective bargaining or organizing. This solidarity is also displayed when the affiliates agree to speak with one voice on issues of public concern, and on elections for public office. For more information about building solidarity and to join the committee see Solidarity Committee.

In addition, the Quad City Federation of Labor gathers union members from various locals to engage in community service projects. UCAN training is provided (Union Community Activist Network/Union Counselor). The non-labor community looks to the Quad City Federation of Labor to provide union representatives to serve on various governmental and non-governmental councils, committees, boards and commissions. See Community Service/Community Action.

The Quad City Federation of Labor sponsors various labor education classes, often times presented by the University of Iowa Labor Center. See Education Committee.

GOVERNANCE

The governing body of the Quad City Federation of Labor consists of the delegates sent by each affiliated union and affiliated organization. The monthly delegate meetings consist of information sharing and taking actions on items raised from the floor and brought forth by committees and the board.

The Board meets prior to the delegate meeting to prepare policy and program recommendations for the full delegates meeting, reviews financial reports and engages in long and short-term planning.

UNION CITIES

The Quad City Federation of Labor was one of the first Labor Councils to endorse the national AFL-CIO's "Union Cities" program. This consists of a set of eight goals designed to strengthen the labor movement from the local level up to the national level by placing a renewed emphasis on organizing, holding public officials accountable, electing union members and friends of working families to public office, developing a rapid response solidarity network, and developing coalitions, just to name a few.

In December of 2001 the AFL-CIO presented its top "Union Cities" award to the Quad City Federation of Labor during its 24th biennial convention.

• Quad City Federation of Labor Board