The Belgian Typographical Federation (french: Fédération typographique belge, FTB; nl, Belgische Typografische Federatie, BTF), also known as the Belgian Book Printers' Union, was a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

representing printers in Belgium. The union was established in 1869, when local unions of typographers in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent merged. It was the first trade union in the country to operate on a national basis. Until

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, the union was dominated by the Brussels section, the Free Association of Typographical Compositors of Brussels, which focused on encouraging printers in other areas of the country not to move to Brussels. By establishing strong branches in other towns, it succeeded in this, and the relative shortage of printers in Brussels enabled it to raise wages. Following action from 1909 to 1911, it achieved a maximum nine-hour working day. In 1920, the union achieved an eight-hour day and further wage increases. A national executive was appointed to lead the union, although it often came into conflict with the more radical Brussels branch. When the Brussels branch went on strike, in 1931 for higher wages and better conditions, the national union provided no support. The strike failed, and the Brussels branch was left with large debts. Membership of the union peaked at 6,803 in 1927, then gradually fell. In 1924, the union was pressured by the

Trade Union Commission The Trade Union Commission ( nl, Syndikale Kommissie van België, SK; french: Commission syndicale de Belgique, CS) was a national trade union federation in Belgium. History The federation was established on 11 April 1898, at a conference of the ...

to join the

Union of Bookworkers of Belgium The Union of Bookworkers of Belgium (french: Centrale des travailleurs du livre de Belgique; nl, Centrale der Boekbewerkers van België, CBB) was a trade union representing printers and bookbinders in Belgium. After World War I, the unions affilia ...

(CBB), but it consistently refused to do so. In 1936, the union took part in the general strike, as a result of which it obtained six days annual paid leave, and another wage increase. It was banned by the Nazi occupiers at the end of 1941, although its leadership managed to retain control of its pension fund. After the war, former members of the union joined with the CBB, to form the

Paper and Publishing Industry Union The Paper and Publishing Industry Union ( nl, Centrale der Boek- en Papiernijverheid, CBP; french: Centrale de l'industrie du Livre et du Papier, CLP) was a trade union representing workers in the graphical industries in Belgium. The union was foun ...

Presidents

:1883: Pierre-Joseph Rousseau :1890: Gustave Defnet :1891: Charles Callewaert :1891: Félix Van Ausloos :1903: Jean Pletinckx :1907: Alfred Durieux :1914: Gustave Conrardy :1920: :1929: Louis Stordeur :1932: Alexander Theunissens

References

Printing trade unions Trade unions in Belgium Trade unions established in 1869 Trade unions disestablished in 1941 1869 establishments in Belgium 1941 disestablishments in Belgium

Presidents

Further reading

References