DISCONTENT AMONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006300340001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 3, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/05/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006300340001-7
CLASSIFICATION
CDNWL *ITEU. ENOE AGENCY REPOR~
IN!'~RM~ATIO V . CD NO.
COUNTRY East GenwM
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
NO. OF ENCLS.
(UM ED saM
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. Between 17 and 22 January 1955, there ::orc heatod cunti;,~ , ies
between workers and employees on the one hand and 2;:D factory
groups or shop trade union managements on the other in
large Eaat Berlin nationalised enterprises. The workers of the
Berliner Bremsenwerk (brake plant) and the telecoczaunication
engineering plant openly voiced their discontent over economy
measures decreed in the field of social welfare. In connection
.;ith these measures, the sums originally earmarked for the
improvement of workers' resthouses had been eliminated from
factory budgets. The workers reacted most violently when they
heard that millions of had been handed over by the FDGB to
striking workers Holf Berger, the president of
IG L.etall,who wanted to speak to the workers of the Berliner
Bremsen-Werk at the request of its shop trade-union management,
was received with prolonged "boos". When the chairman of the
shop trade-union management threatened to call the police, the
workers and employees left the meeting hall in open protest.
Similar incidents occurred at the nationalized "Aktivist"
enterprise in Berlin and the "Stalin" Foundry Combine in
Fuerstenberg/Oder.
2. The National Executive Board of the FDGB and the SED Central
Committee jointly discussed these incidents, which, according
to Herbert ',i'arnke, bore a distinct resemblance to the mood
prevailing on 17 June 1953. They did not arrive at a clear-c-at
decision. The shop trade-union ma:a,;ements were ordered to report
all critical signs of discontent among workers without informing
the Ste. This procedure was explained by the fact that the present
political situation did not permit rigorous measures against
enemies of the regime unless toy/ could be charged with sabotage
or espiouat;e activities.
CLASSIFICATION s-c-c-fi- r,t
DATE DISTR. 3 Nay 1555
Discontent Among IYRiustrial Workers NO. OF PAGES
Approved For Release 2008/05/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006300340001-7
 Approved For Release 2008/05/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006300340001-7
Approved For Release 2008/05/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006300340001-7