Beiträge zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung Internet-Supplement ...

BzG-Supplement No. 1/2000 3
The Trades Union Congress, the British
Authorities in Occupied Germany and
Trade Union Demands, 1947–1952.
RICHARD CROUCHER, CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC TRADE
UNION MANAGEMENT, CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
The DGB came into existence in Munich in October 1947. Yet by then, the local
foundations of a revived German trade unionism were laid in the Western occupation
zones. Indeed, the British encouraged unionism at the local level before mergers created
larger unions. The British zone was particularly important in the development in
German trade unionism. By 1948, 2.8 million workers were unionised in the British
zone, compared to 1.6 million in the American. Trade union density was also highest
there. 1 It was there, too, that the DGB (britische Besatzungszone) and Hans Boeckler
were based. German trade unionists were inclined to look to the British and their
recently-elected Labour government to provide a counterweight to American and
French influence. The nature of trade unionism in the zone was therefore of general
significance for German trade unionism more widely.
This article focusses on a discussion between Hans Gottfurcht, a leading German
exile and trade unionist, appointed as liaison officer between the British Trade Union
Congress (TUC) and the emergent trade unions in the British zone, and the senior
British occupation official responsible for industrial relations policy issues, Reginald
Luce. The exchange took place in June and July of 1947.The British occupying
administration wished to exercise strict control over the development of German trade
unionism. In the British view, unions were important elements in the democratisation
of German society, which they saw as over inclined towards centralisation and
obedience. They were well-equipped to exercise control, since they employed a
relatively large number of people in Germany and were therefore well informed. The
key part of the occupation government responsible for trade union issues was Manpower
Division. Manpower Divisions’ partner and advisor was the TUC, a body which
felt that it stood at the centre of the oldest trade union movement in the world.During
the Second World War, the TUC was closely consulted and involved by government:
many trade unionists took up official positions. In the immediate post-war years, close
relationships with government and the Foreign Office were maintained while contacts
developed with German trade unions.Because multilateral international trade union
co operation and organisation were bedevilled by developing Cold War conflict,