IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 1556 WL 1431
Held at: Wiener Library
Title: German Trades Unions in Great Britain
Date(s): 1941-1945
Level of description: collection
Extent: 1 file
Name of creator(s): The Trade Union Centre for German Workers in Great Britain
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Trade Union Centre for German Workers in Great Britain (TUCGWGB) was founded just before the outbreak of the Second World War, but did not begin its work in earnest until the release of many of the German exiles, who were interned at the outbreak of war. The chairman of the TUCGWGB, Hans Gottfurcht, had for many years been an active trade unionist in Germany, where he helped establish a number of illegal trade unions under the Nazis. The establishment of the TUCGWGB was regarded as necessary because of the particular situation brought about by the large influx of refugees and exiles. Whereas it would normally have been expected for these new arrivals to join existing British trade unions (which they did as well), there was always a sense that their stay in Great Britain would only ever be temporary, and that they needed a representative organisation that would reflect their particular interests. After the war and the demise of the TUCGWGB, Hans Gottfurcht went on to become a pivotal figure as liaison between the newly formed Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund and the occupying British authorities.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the Trade Union Centre for German Workers in Great Britain, 1941-1945, comprising newsletters, activity reports and and other material relating to the activities of the Trade Union Centre for German Workers in Great Britain.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: German and English
System of arrangement:
Chronological
Conditions governing access:
Open
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.
Finding aids:
Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Jewish Central Information Office
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Entry compiled by Howard Falksohn.
Date(s) of descriptions: March 2008