About the Quad
City Federation of Labor - Who Are We?
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
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