Zentralgewerkschaftskommission des Deutschen Gewerkschaftsbundes in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik ('Central Commission of German Trade Unions in the Czechoslovak Republic') was a German Social Democratic trade union centre in Czechoslovakia. From 1927 onwards, it was an autonomous structure inside the Czechoslovak labour centre OSČ. The organization was dissolved as Czechoslovakia fell under German occupation.
Early period The organization was founded in July 1919. In 1920 the name Gewerkschaftsbund was adopted, and a headquarters was set up in Liberec.McDermott, Kevin. The Czech Red Unions, 1918-1929: A Study of Their Relations with the Communist Party and the Moscow Internationals. East European monographs, no. 239. Boulder: East European Monographs, 1988. p. 36 Gewerkschaftsbund emerged as a prominent force in the amongst labour movements in Czechoslovakia, having around 75% of unionized German workers as its members in 1921 (at the time Czechoslovakia had a general unionizing rate of 50%, one of the higher in Europe). Major unions affiliated to Gewerkschaftsbund were Textile Workers (90,878 members in 1921), Metalworkers (39,209 members in 1921) and Miners (37,582 members in 1921).McDermott, Kevin. The Czech Red Unions, 1918-1929: A Study of Their Relations with the Communist Party and the Moscow Internationals. East European monographs, no. 239. Boulder: East European Monographs, 1988. p. 38
In 1922, Czechoslovak communists had formed a separate trade union centre, Mezinárodní všeodborový svaz (MVS). However, not all communist trade unionists joined MVS. As of 1926, there were around 15 000 communists inside the Gewerkschaftsbund affiliates.McDermott, Kevin. The Czech Red Unions, 1918-1929: A Study of Their Relations with the Communist Party and the Moscow Internationals. East European monographs, no. 239. Boulder: East European Monographs, 1988. p. 164
Merger into OSČ In 1927 Gewerkschaftsbund merged into the main Czechoslovak trade union centre, the Social Democratic Odborové sdružení československé (OSČ).McDermott, Kevin. The Czech Red Unions, 1918-1929: A Study of Their Relations with the Communist Party and the Moscow Internationals. East European monographs, no. 239. Boulder: East European Monographs, 1988. p. 37 The organization continued to function as an autonomous body inside OSČ until the unions were banned following the German occupation.
Leadership Franz Macoun was the general secretary of the organization from 1920 to 1938. Macoun was a Member of Parliament for the German Social Democratic Workers Party between 1929 and 1938.
Publications The organization issued the publication Gewerkschafts-Jugend ('Trade Union Youth') between 1934-1937.http://www.barch.bund.de/bestaende_findmittel/bestaendeuebersicht/body.html?id_main=5364&where=naeheres&what=parent_id&id_bestand=5378&suchbegriff=
Membership YearMembership1919299,0911920403,2111921372,0271927200,1831933220,0501937206,474
Membership of Gewerkschaftsbund affiliates in 1937 UnionMembershipUnion der Textilarbeiter b. G. fuer das Tschechoslowakische Staatsgebiet50,139Internationaler Metallarbeiterverband in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik27,553Allgemeiner Angestellten-Verband23,413Verband der Eisenbahner in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik16,219Verband der Glas- und Keramarbeiter und -Arbeiterinnen der Tschechoslowakischen Republik15,219Union der Bergarbeiter in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik13,853Fabrikarbeiterverband in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik11,235Verband der Holz- und Landarbeiter in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik11,090Verband der oeffentlichen Angestellten11,053Verband der Transport- und Lebensmittelarbeiter78,58Bekleidungsarbeiterverband in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik6,681Gewerkschaft der Postler4,590Gewerkschaft der Tabakarbeiterinnen und -Arbeiter in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik3,549Graphische Union2,179Buehnenbund in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik1,054Deutscher Musiker-Verband in der Tschechoslowakischen Republik789
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