Emil Girbig (11 June 1866 – 6 February 1933) was a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

trade unionist and politician. Born in Elisabethhütte near Jamlitz, he completed an apprenticeship as a glassmaker. He joined the Central Union of Glass Workers, and in 1897 was elected as a president. The position was poorly paid, so he began running an inn in his spare time. However, the union grew under his leadership, and from 1900, it was able to employ him on a full-time wage. He was a founder of the

International Federation of Glassworkers The International Federation of Glassworkers was a global union federation bringing together trade unions representing workers in the glass industry. History The first international trade secretariat of glassworkers was established in 1892 at a co ...

in 1908, and became its first general secretary, serving until 1920, when he became its president. Girbig also joined the

Social Democratic Party of Germany The Social Democratic Party of Germany (german: Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, ; SPD, ) is a centre-left social democratic political party in Germany. It is one of the major parties of contemporary Germany. Saskia Esken has been the ...

(SPD), and in 1919 he was elected to the

Weimar National Assembly The Weimar National Assembly (German: ), officially the German National Constitutional Assembly (), was the popularly elected constitutional convention and de facto parliament of Germany from 6 February 1919 to 21 May 1920. As part of its ...

. He then held the same seat in the

Reichstag of the Weimar Republic The Reichstag of the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) was the lower house of Germany's parliament; the upper house was the Reichsrat, which represented the states. The Reichstag convened for the first time on 24 June 1920, taking over from the Wei ...

from 1920 to 1924, and from 1928 to 1930. In 1926, Girbig arranged for the Glassworkers to merge into the

Factory Workers' Union of Germany The Factory Workers' Union of Germany (, VFD, commonly known as , FAV) was a trade union in Germany. History The union was founded in early July 1890, as a general union affiliated to the General Commission of German Trade Unions, gathering unsk ...

, within which he became the leader of the glassworkers within its new Ceramic Federation, until he retired in 1931.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Girbig, Emil 1866 births 1933 deaths German trade unionists Members of the Weimar National Assembly Members of the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic Politicians from Brandenburg Social Democratic Party of Germany politicians