In 1925, the German socialist trade union association, Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, sent a 15-member delegation to the United States to study the “underbelly” of the American manufacturing system in order for German trade unions to be able to participate in the national debate on shaping the German economic system from a first-hand experience. Like Köttgen’s report [link], the union report began with an extensive statistical comparison between the United States and Germany; however, unlike many other German travel reports, it proceeded not to give in-depth technical descriptions; rather, it described the social organization of work, class and labor relations, benefits systems, and trade union organizations.
Selected excerpts provide a rare example of a description of work organization in the brick laying and foundation work; describe relations between management and workers, discuss Ford and labor unions, and draw conclusions on the dynamics of the American economic system.
Related Subjects: Labor Relations: German Unions, German Visitors
Productivity Machines 