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In the communists’ self-understanding, trade union work was the DKP’s most important area of work. The party was a workers’ party that should be present in the workplace and, if possible, lead the workers’ struggle for better wages and working conditions – and eventually working class control of the means of production.
In the interwar period, they tried this with very limited success by standing in opposition to the dominant Social Democratic trade union movement. After 2. After World War II, the communists were more numerous and tried more successfully to integrate into the established system. Despite persistent opposition from the Social Democrats, the Communists managed to establish themselves in individual unions and local branches.
In relation to the central importance of trade union work, the area is still relatively underexplored. There are a few studies, but the collections contain a lot of material that can contribute further to the understanding of the role of communists in the Danish labor market.
Archive material from the DKP’s trade union secretariat and the communist-dominated trade unions:
- Arbejdernes Fællesklub, B&W Refshaleøen Arkiv
- Arbejdsmændenes Forbund for København og Omegn, Maskin og Skibsværftsarbejdernes Afdeling Arkiv
- Plumbers’ Union, Sanitary and Pipeworkers’ Union, Local 9, A Plumbers’ Union Archives
- Fuel Carriers’ Trade Union Archives
- Building Trades Union Archive
- Bygningssnedkernes Fagforening Copenhagen Archive
- National Union of Child and Youth Educators Archive
- Danish Lithographic Union Archives
- Danish Metalworkers’ Union Local 15, Blacksmiths and Machine Workers at Special Factories Archive
- Danish Metalworkers’ Union Local 17, Trade Union for Blacksmiths and Machine Workers at Small Machine Factories Archive
- Danish Metalworkers’ Union Local 4, Kedelsmedeforeningen af 1890 Archive
- Danish Metalworkers’ Union Local 5, Shipwrights Archive
- Metalworkers’ Union Lyngby Branch Archive
- Danish Metalworkers’ Union Metal Søfart Archive
- Danish Union of Blacksmiths and Machinists Local 12, Blacksmiths and Machinists in the Diesel Engine and Ship Machinery Industry Archive
- Danish Union of Blacksmiths and Machinists Local 13, Trade Union for Mechanics and Instrument Makers Archive Copenhagen
- Danish Association of Typographers
- Dansk Typograf-Forbund Copenhagen Branch Archives
- The Revolutionary Trade Union Opposition, Danish Union of Blacksmiths and Machinists Archives
- Gold and Silver Workers’ Union in Denmark Archives
- Gold and Silver Workers’ Union Copenhagen Branch Archives
- Port Workers’ Union Archives
- Earth and Concrete Workers’ Union Archives
- Women’s Workers’ Union in Denmark, Local 5 Archives
- Painters’ Union Copenhagen
- Bricklayers’ Union in Copenhagen Archive
- Specialized Workers’ Union for Army and Navy Archive
- Seamen’s Union in Denmark Archive
- Customs Warehouse Workers’ Union Archives
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