The Central Union of Butchers and Kindred Trades of Germany (german: Zentralverband der Fleischer und Berufsgenossen Deutschlands) 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

butcher A butcher is a person who may Animal slaughter, slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat, or participate within any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat and poultry for sale in retail or wholesal ...

s and

abattoir A slaughterhouse, also called abattoir (), is a facility where animals are slaughtered to provide food. Slaughterhouses supply meat, which then becomes the responsibility of a packaging facility. Slaughterhouses that produce meat that is no ...

workers in Germany. In 1898, Theodor Keslinke founded the Local Union of Butchers, in Berlin, with the aim of turning it into a national organisation. In March 1900, it launched a national journal, ''Der Fleischer'', and then on 1 June, it established the "Central Union of Meat Workers", a national union affiliated to the

General Commission of German Trade Unions The General Commission of German Trade Unions (german: Generalkommission der Gewerkschaften Deutschlands) was an umbrella body for German trade unions during the German Empire, from the end of the Anti-Socialist Laws in 1890 up to 1919. In 1919, ...

. Membership grew steadily, from 2,000 in 1902, to 16,643 in 1927. In 1913, the union held a conference which founded the

International Federation of Meat Workers The International Federation of Meat Workers was a global union federation bringing together unions representing butchers and abattoir workers. The German Central Union of Butchers organised the first International Conference of Meat Workers in 191 ...

, and the union thereafter provided the federation's leadership. In 1919, the union was a founding affiliate of the

General German Trade Union Confederation The General German Trade Union Federation (german: Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, ADGB) was a confederation of German trade unions in Germany founded during the Weimar Republic. It was founded in 1919 and was initially powerful enough to ...

. On 24 September 1927, the union merged with the Central Union of Bakers and Confectioners, the Union of Brewery and Mill Workers, and the Union of Coopers, Cellar Managers, and Helpers in Germany, to form the Union of Food and Drink Workers.

Presidents

:1900:

Paul Hensel Paul Hugo Wilhelm Hensel (17 May 1860, Groß-Barthen near Königsberg – 11 November 1930, Erlangen) was a German philosopher. Biography Hensel was born in Groß-Barten near Königsberg, Prussia. He was the son of the landowner and entrep ...

References

{{Authority control Meat industry trade unions Trade unions in Germany Trade unions established in 1900 Trade unions disestablished in 1927