The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1948-11-04
BY ELMER BECK
Editor of KenOsha Labor


The German trade union move
ment is unlike that Of the United
States in several significant re-
spects. 1t also differs in some ways
from the free trade union move
ment which existed in Germany be-
fore the Nazis took power.
The main difference between the
German trade union movement and
ours arises from the fact that the
German must function in an occup-
led nation whose economy is strict
ly controlled while ours operates
in a free country.
Problems OF Initiation
Wages were frozen in Germany
from the beginning of the occupa-
ton. Last April American and Bri-
tish Military Governments permit
ed unions and employers to nego-
tiate for wage increases up to 15% +.
Food and other commodities have
been rationed and controlled by
price ceilings. But following the
currency reform last summer con-
trolls were removed from many con-
sumner goods. Prices, naturally, i'm
mediately shot up.
High prices were one of the chief
gripes of the unions at the time |
left Germany in September Mass
demonstrations against high prices
were being organized by the unions
at that time. They called for the
establishment of price ceilings
on foods and other necessities and
raising of wage rates.
Last spring and winter when
food supplies were short the un-
ions were active in organizing dem
onstrations demanding increases in
rations.
Since then fortunately, food rat
ions have been increased steadily
thanks to fine weather and conse-
quent record-breaking crops. The
year before crops had been dismal
ly poor because of drought.
The Works Councils
AN interesting and characteristic
difference between the German and
American trade union movements
is the German "works council"-
which is not part of the union
structure at all! They have their
status in a law dating from the
early days of the Weimar Republic
Basic wage rates and hours are
negotiated, usually on an industry
wide basis, between the trade un-
ions and employers associations.
These agreements, incidentally, do
not become conclusive until they
are registered with the govern
ment's Ministry of Economics.
Then they achieve the force of law
and are susceptible of action in the
courts.
But the unions do not function at
the plant level. That is where the
works councils come in. Members
Of the council are elected for an
nual terms by their fellow en-
ployees within a single plant. They
handle grievances of Individual
workers and negotiate for improve
ments and refinements of the basic
wage agreements and in matters
Of plant scope.
The work councils are of great
in the German scheme
If things. The legislatures of both
aesse and Bremen have passed
avs giving works councils the
light of "co-determination" with
in the planning of pro-
luction. General Lucius Clay, the
is commander held up approval of
his legislation.
Pre-Hitler Unions
The chief difference between the
,resent trade union movement and
hat of the pre-Nazi days is that
he new one is not split into separ-
tie political and religious organ
cations. This is in accordance with
/ condition laid down by the oc-
upying powers.
In the old days there were separ-
tie groups of Socialist trade un-
ons, called the "free" unions;
National, which were
'acked by the Catholic church; and
he Democratic, called the "Hirsch-
)uncker" group.
In addition, the Communists
ormed an opposition within the
rec unions.
Each group was tied to a polite
/ party. The division contributed
0 the disintegration of the trade {