The Industrial Union of Chemicals, Glass and Ceramics (german: Industriegewerkschaft Chemie, Glas und Keramik, IG CGK) 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 workers in various industries in

East Germany East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In these years the state ...

. The union was founded by the

Free German Trade Union Federation The Free German Trade Union Federation (german: Freier Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund or ''FDGB'') was the sole national trade union centre of the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) which existed from 1946 and 1990. As a mass organisat ...

in 1946, initially as the Industrial Union of Chemicals, Paper, Stone and Earth. It initially had 230,464 members. In 1947, its name was changed to the Industrial Union of Chemicals, Paper and Ceramics, and then in 1950 it was shortened to the Industrial Union of Chemicals. The remit of the union also changed over the years. In 1955, its members in the building materials sector were transferred to the

Industrial Union of Construction and Wood The Industrial Union of Construction and Wood (german: Industriegewerkschaft Bau-Holz, IG Bau-Holz) was a trade union representing construction and wood workers in East Germany. The union was founded in 1950, when the Free German Trade Union Feder ...

, and in 1956 various members moved to the Industrial Union of the Local Economy, although they returned in 1958. The biggest changes came in 1957, when the union's headquarters moved from Berlin to Halle, and its members in textile manufacturing and forestry were transferred to other unions. Internationally, the union affiliated to the

Trade Unions International of Chemical, Oil and Allied Workers The Trade Unions International of Chemical, Oil and Allied Workers was a trade union international affiliated with the World Federation of Trade Unions. It was often known by its French initials, ICPS (Union Internationale des Syndicats des Indus ...

. The union became involved in sports associations, their names starting with "SV Chemie". The membership of the union continued to change until the 1972, when it also adopted its final name, the "Industrial Union of Chemicals, Glass and Ceramics". In addition to these areas, it also represented workers in the paper and petroleum industries, and in waste disposal. By 1989, the union had 531,301 members. It became independent in April 1990. It began working closely with the

Chemical, Paper and Ceramic Union The Chemical, Paper and Ceramic Union (german: IG Chemie-Papier-Keramik) was a trade union representing chemical, oil refinery, paper, rubber, ceramics, glass and plastics workers in West Germany. While the Factory Workers' Union of Germany, dissol ...

, and gradually merged into it, completing the process in June 1991.

Presidents

:1950: Kurt Kühn :1952: Horst Willim :1958: Rudolf Höppner :1965: Hans-Joachim Winkler :1967: Werner Oertelt :1980: Edith Weber :1989: Hartmut Löschner

References

{{Authority control Chemical industry trade unions Trade unions in East Germany Trade unions established in 1946 Trade unions disestablished in 1991