Des Moines printers began to organize with the ITU in 1868. Local 118 had 52 members by 1872. In the 1910s Des Moines printers gained an 8 hour day after a two year strike and Local membership rose to 260 by WWI. In the 1920s Local 118 organized heavily in Des Moines and lobbied to have the Iowa State Code printed in Des Moines rather than out of state. During the 1930s Local 118 raised dues for working members to create a relief fund for unemployed members. Membership reached 460 by the 1960s, but in the 1970s technological change reduced employment and forced consolidation of ITU locals in Iowa. In 1986 ITU merged with the Communications Workers of America and became CWA Local 14715. The Local's charter expired in 1998.
From the description of International Typographical Union Local 118 records, 1872-2001. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 47922750
