The Union of Land, Food and Forests (german: Gewerkschaft der Land, Lebensmittelgüter und Forst) 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 related 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 in 1946, as the Industrial Union of Agriculture and Forestry, and in June it became part of the new

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 ...

(FDGB), by which point it already had 167,065 members. In 1949, it was a founding affiliate of the Trade Union International of Agricultural and Forestry Workers. In 1950, it changed its name to the Union of Land and Forests, to better reflect its membership. The scope of the union gradually increased. In 1960, employees of food purchasing businesses were transferred from the Union of Trade, Food and Enjoyment, followed in 1964 by workers in feed mixing plants, and in 1968 by all remaining workers in food manufacturing and processing. As a result, that year, it changed its name to the "Union of Land, Food and Forests". In 1964, the union also took in workers in veterinary medicine from the Union of Healthcare, and in 1967 those in rural building organisations, from the Industrial Union of Building and Wood. The union was also involved in sports associations, their names starting with "SV Traktor". The union's membership increased steadily, and by 1989, it was 654,815. In March 1990, it became independent, and in June, it transferred relevant members to the new

Food, Beverages and Catering Union The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (german: Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten, NGG) is a trade union in Germany. It has a membership of 205,900 and is one of eight industrial affiliates of the German Confederation of Trade Unions. Mem ...

of the DDR. It discussed a possible merger with the West German

Horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry Union The Horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry Union (german: Gewerkschaft Gartenbau, Land- und Forstwirtschaft, GGLF) was a West German trade union representing agricultural and forestry workers. The union was founded in July 1949, and was a foundi ...

(GGLF), and decided to dissolve on 30 September 1990, its remaining members transferring to the GGLF.

Presidents

:1946: Willi Hübner :1947: Willi Wolf :1948: Willi Beuster :1949: Anton Jadasch :1950: Florian Schenk :1953: Karl Svihalek :1961: Horst Reinhardt :1962: Fritz Müller :1984: Horst Zimmermann :1989: Marianne Sandig

References

{{Authority control Agriculture and forestry trade unions Trade unions in East Germany Trade unions established in 1946 Trade unions disestablished in 1990